The short version
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that one pilot stabbed another and attempted to crash the plane, prompting an investigation into potential terrorism.
- Passengers and crew intervened to subdue the attacker and assist in landing the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia after it issued emergency distress signals.
- The incident has heightened security concerns in Israel ahead of upcoming elections and the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, though military intelligence found no prior warning.
A commercial flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent altercation between pilots caused the aircraft to descend rapidly. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that one pilot stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to attempt to crash the plane, killing everyone onboard. The incident has triggered a formal investigation by Israeli authorities into whether the event was a terrorist attack targeting Israelis.
The FlyDubai flight, carrying dozens of passengers, issued emergency distress signals approximately two and a half hours after departing Dubai. Aviation tracking data indicates the aircraft sent out code 7700, signaling a general emergency, followed by code 7500, which typically indicates a hijacking attempt. The plane then dropped from an altitude of 33,000 feet to roughly 16,000 feet in a matter of minutes before diverting toward northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Video footage reviewed by news organizations shows chaotic scenes inside the cabin. Passengers are seen screaming as the aircraft shakes and descends abruptly. In some clips, individuals appear to be providing medical aid to bloodied men on the floor while others guard the cockpit area. One passenger reported hearing shouts of help and seeing a man with a knife subdue a pilot, resulting in significant bleeding throughout the cabin.
According to Netanyahu, passengers and crew members demonstrated exceptional courage by breaking into the cockpit to neutralize the attacker. He cited accounts from survivors who described how individuals took control of the situation, allowing the remaining functional pilot or crew members to guide the plane to safety. The Israeli defense minister characterized the event as an attempted jihadist attack that was thwarted by the resourcefulness of those onboard.
The aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Local authorities confirmed that both pilots were injured and transported to hospitals for treatment. Passengers received medical attention from local officials upon arrival. The pilot accused of initiating the violence was detained by Saudi authorities for questioning, according to Israeli government statements.
Israeli air defense systems scrambled fighter jets shortly after receiving the emergency signals, fearing the plane might be diverted to a hostile third country or used as a weapon against Israel. However, officials later clarified that the situation did not constitute a traditional hijacking in which external forces seized control of the aircraft. The primary concern shifted to the internal violence within the cockpit and the potential for a suicide-style crash.
The timing of the incident has intensified political scrutiny in Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu had recently warned of heightened security threats ahead of national elections scheduled for October. While some opposition figures questioned whether intelligence agencies missed signs of this specific plot, military leadership stated there was no prior intelligence indicating an attack on aviation infrastructure. The Israeli military chief postponed a planned visit to the United States due to the unfolding crisis.
This event marks a rare breach of aviation security in Israel, which has not experienced a hijacking or similar aerial attack in decades. The country maintains rigorous screening procedures for all flights bound for its territory. Flights between the UAE and Israel resumed after diplomatic normalization in 2020, and Saudi Arabia has allowed Israeli aircraft to overfly its airspace since 2022, facilitating emergency landings like this one despite the lack of formal diplomatic relations.
A second FlyDubai flight carrying passengers from the diverted aircraft eventually landed at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv later on Wednesday. Authorities continue to assess the circumstances surrounding the pilots' conflict, including the nationality and motives of the attacker. Israeli officials have not yet released detailed information about the suspect's identity beyond reports that he may be an Omani national, a claim neither Oman nor the UAE has publicly addressed.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian US↗Netanyahu says pilot arrested after stabbing fellow pilot and apparently trying to crash Israel-bound plane – latest
- The Guardian World↗Pilot who stabbed co-pilot on Israel-bound plane may have tried to crash it, says Netanyahu
- PBS NewsHour↗Netanyahu says a pilot on a FlyDubai flight stabbed another and apparently tried to crash the plane
