JERUSALEM / DUBAI / TABUK - October 1, 2026* - A harrowing scene unfolded at an altitude of 35,000 feet. One pilot lay bloodied, the co-pilot was deliberately sending the plane into a nosedive, and the lives of over 150 passengers hung in the balance. This was not a Hollywood movie, but a real-life incident that occurred last night, where a major plane crash was narrowly averted.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Mid-flight, the co-pilot suddenly attacked the pilot with a knife and began forcing the plane to descend rapidly. Within just 30 seconds, the aircraft plummeted *14,000 feet (approximately 4.2 kilometers)*. However, the courage displayed by the passengers and crew prevented a catastrophic disaster.
How Did the Incident Unfold? 30 Seconds of Terror
According to Israeli officials, the flight had taken off normally from Dubai. This route has become routine following the Abraham Accords signed between Israel and the UAE in 2020. There were approximately 150–180 passengers on board.
Suddenly, inside the cockpit, the co-pilot attacked the pilot with a knife, inflicting severe injuries to the pilot's upper body. The co-pilot then seized the controls and initiated a nosedive. In less than 30 seconds, the plane dropped 14,000 feet. That meant a descent of 400–500 feet every second. Passengers thought it was the end; oxygen masks dropped, and panic and screaming ensued.
But amidst this, a miracle occurred. Two other Flydubai pilots were traveling on the same flight as passengers. They were "deadheading"—meaning they were off-duty and simply traveling to Tel Aviv. When they realized something was wrong in the cockpit, they joined the cabin crew and entered the cockpit.
There, they grabbed the co-pilot, overpowered him, and wrested control of the aircraft from him. The incapacitated pilot was moved to the back, and the other pilots took charge of the plane. They immediately declared an emergency and diverted the flight to the nearest airport—Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The plane made a safe emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Immediately after landing, Saudi security forces took the co-pilot into custody.
*Upon Arriving in Tel Aviv 10 Hours Later, Passengers Called It a Miracle*M
After landing, the passengers remained in Tabuk for 10 hours. Flydubai immediately dispatched a replacement aircraft. Subsequently, all passengers were flown to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
When passengers disembarked at the airport, their faces displayed both fear and joy. Passenger Lital Shachaf told the media, "All I can say is that it was a miracle. It was terrifying, crazy, and we thank God we survived. We didn't think we would survive, but thankfully we're in Israel. We're back home. And we're happy to see everyone here."
Israel's ambulance service reported that a 51-year-old man (the pilot) who suffered upper body injuries was taken to hospital. His condition is now stable and mild.
Who was the co-pilot? An Iranian hand?
The biggest question: Why did the co-pilot act like this?
Israeli officials have not yet officially released his name, but initial reports indicate he is an Omani citizen. His motive is still under investigation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the incident as a "serious security incident." He told Fox News' Sean Hannity in an interview, "We will pursue this attacker, whether he has allies or Iran is after him. I think we'll find out very soon."
Hannity asked if Iran might be involved, to which Netanyahu replied, "I don't know for sure. The attacker's pilot is currently being investigated in Saudi Arabia. I think he will be taken to the Emirates, where he came from, where he took off, and we will be involved in that investigation and possibly participate."
Oman has not yet made any official statement on this matter. No statement has been issued. Flydubai has stated that the motive behind the incident is not yet known and that no hasty speculation should be made.
*Major Questions on Aviation Security*
This incident has raised a major question about aviation security worldwide. Normally, we think that threats come from outside, but here the threat came from inside the cockpit.
Following this, Israel immediately tightened security at its airports. Any pilot flying an Israeli flight will now be subject to extra scrutiny.
Flydubai has also temporarily suspended its flights to Israel as a precautionary measure until a full investigation is completed.
This is not the first time a pilot has deliberately attempted to crash a plane. In 2015, the co-pilot of Germanwings Flight 9525 deliberately crashed the plane into the mountains, killing 150 people. After that, a rule was established that there should always be two people in the cockpit. But this time, the attack was carried out with a knife.
*Role of Saudi Arabia*
Saudi Arabia is also being praised in this story. Saudi ATC at Tabuk Airport quickly authorized an emergency landing, and security quickly apprehended the co-pilot. Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have direct diplomatic relations, but cooperation in the region has increased since the Abraham Accords.
Saudi authorities are now interviewing the co-pilot. He will then be flown to the UAE because Flydubai is a UAE airline.
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