Dubai/IBNS-CMEDIA: A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the two pilots were reportedly involved in a physical altercation inside the cockpit, media reports said.
The incident initially triggered fears of a possible hijacking as Flydubai Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, briefly disappeared from flight-tracking services.
Flight triggers hijack alert
The aircraft eventually landed safely at an airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after briefly transmitting a code indicating possible unlawful interference.
The signal prompted Israeli authorities to treat the incident as a potential hijacking and initiate security checks.
Passengers to be flown to Israel
A separate aircraft will reportedly be sent from Dubai to Saudi Arabia to pick up the stranded passengers and transport them to Israel.
A terrifying midair emergency unfolded aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv after a violent struggle erupted inside the cockpit. According to preliminary Israeli reports, one pilot is suspected of attempting suicide by deliberately putting the Boeing 737 into a… pic.twitter.com/2zY8AupdEU
— Armstrong Williams (@Arightside) September 30, 2026
Security probe underway
Israeli authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a security-related incident and are examining the circumstances surrounding the cockpit altercation.
Investigators are also seeking to determine whether either pilot may have deliberately attempted to cause the aircraft to crash and whether the incident could have been linked to an attempted terrorist attack.
Pilot allegedly stabbed during cockpit fight
Passengers reportedly described hearing screams and seeing blood during the violent altercation inside the cockpit.
According to reports, one of the pilots was allegedly attacked with a knife and stabbed during the confrontation.
The exact circumstances of the alleged stabbing remain under investigation.
