Mid-Air Attack on Flydubai Flight: Pilot Allegedly Tries to Take Control of Plane

Israeli official says a “major disaster” was prevented

One of the pilots of a Flydubai passenger plane operating a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attempted to hijack the aircraft with the intention of crashing it, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Additional crew members, assisted by Israeli passengers on board, managed to restrain the pilot, according to an Israeli official.

The aircraft was diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning. Israeli officials said a physical confrontation broke out between the pilots while the plane was in flight.

The incident was described by an Israeli official as the prevention of a “major disaster.”

According to an increasingly widespread assessment among Israeli security agencies, including the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Mossad and Shin Bet, the incident may have been intended as a terrorist attack.

During the confrontation, the aircraft lost around 4,000 meters in altitude. The flight, numbered FZ1073, was carrying more than 100 Israeli passengers.

The crew initially entered squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency. The code was then changed to 7500, which signals unlawful interference, before later being switched back to 7700.

Israeli fighter jets placed on alert

As the incident unfolded, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets as a precaution and raised its alert level, Israeli outlet Walla reported. The Jerusalem Post also reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting with defense officials.

“The incident is under control and all necessary measures are currently being taken to ensure the safe return of the Israeli passengers to Israel,” the Prime Minister’s Office said following the consultations.

Israeli airspace was also temporarily closed before being reopened after the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai confirmed that the plane landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport, also known as Tabuk Airport.

The airline said it would send another aircraft to Saudi Arabia to bring the passengers back to Tel Aviv.

Israeli official: Pilot attempted to hijack the aircraft

Authorities are investigating the incident, including the identity and background of the pilot who allegedly attacked his colleague with a knife.

The confrontation between the pilots reportedly escalated when one of them was stabbed. Crew members and Israeli passengers subsequently intervened.

An Israeli official said it was not yet clear exactly what the attacker intended to do — whether he planned to divert the aircraft to Israel, crash it, or carry out an attack similar to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The official nevertheless said there was clear evidence that the pilot had attempted to hijack the aircraft.

Authorities are continuing to establish the pilot's identity and are investigating reports that he may be from the Middle East.

According to the initial investigation, the pilot suspected of attempting the hijacking is from Oman.

Israeli passengers helped restrain the pilot

Yasmin Abu Kassis, whose daughter Miriam was on board the flight, said her daughter heard shouting and saw a man grab a knife and knock the pilot to the floor, with blood reportedly “everywhere.”

An Israeli passenger told The Jerusalem Post that one pilot stabbed the other and tried to force him out of the cockpit as the aircraft began losing altitude.

Israeli passengers seated near the front of the aircraft reportedly rushed toward the cockpit and helped restrain the attacker while the plane was descending rapidly.

“I shouted to the other two pilots to rush in and take control of the aircraft,” the passenger said.

According to his account, the group managed to remove the attacker from the cockpit and get the other two pilots inside. One took control of the aircraft, while the other needed more time to recover from the shock.

The passenger described the stabbed pilot as being in critical condition. An Israeli dentist who was among the passengers reportedly provided medical assistance and helped save his life.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.