Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30, 2026, after a violent cockpit incident on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Israeli officials alleged the co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to crash the aircraft, while Flydubai said the cause remains under investigation.

Flydubai Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, after a violent altercation inside the cockpit left both pilots injured.

The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia after a reserve Flydubai crew traveling aboard the plane took control. Flydubai said all passengers were safe and accounted for.

Cockpit incident triggers rapid descent

Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and then tried to crash the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said passengers subdued the co-pilot, who was later detained in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai has not confirmed that account as the motive for the incident. The airline said the underlying reasons for the altercation remained unknown and cautioned against premature speculation.

Flight-tracking data reviewed by Reuters showed the aircraft descending nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before an emergency signal was transmitted.

Passengers and reserve crew intervene

A passenger aboard the flight told Reuters that people moved toward the front of the aircraft after the sudden descent. Israeli officials said passengers entered the cockpit and subdued the alleged attacker after the injured captain released the cockpit door.

A reserve Flydubai crew then took control and safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk. Reuters also verified video showing two wounded men following the confrontation.

Saudi airport officials said both the captain and first officer were hospitalized after sustaining injuries. The passengers later departed Saudi Arabia aboard a replacement Flydubai aircraft after spending about eight hours on the ground.

Cause remains under investigation

Israeli authorities said they would investigate the incident, while Netanyahu said Saudi authorities were questioning the co-pilot. Israeli officials have characterized the episode as a deliberate attempt to bring down the aircraft, but Flydubai has not confirmed a motive.

Investigators will now have to establish how the cockpit confrontation began, what caused the aircraft’s extreme descent and whether the incident involved a deliberate attempt to interfere with the flight.