Co-Pilot Stabs Pilot, Tries to Crash Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight

Co-Pilot Stabs Pilot, Tries to Crash Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight

A Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the aircraft during the journey, according to Israeli officials.

Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the aircraft suddenly descended thousands of metres while flying over Jordan and transmitted emergency signals.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as a serious security event, saying passengers intervened after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot and attempted to interfere with the aircraft’s systems.

According to Netanyahu, passengers and a crew member forced their way into the cockpit after the aircraft entered what appeared to be a dangerous descent.

He said they managed to restrain the co-pilot and prevent what could have become a major disaster before the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia.

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

The plane eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where both pilots were taken to hospital after sustaining injuries during the confrontation.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon described the flight as being “pretty much out of control” when one of the pilots allegedly attacked the other while the aircraft was over Jordan.

Ohayon told reporters that the co-pilot appeared to be trying to crash the aircraft and kill everyone aboard, forcing passengers to act quickly.

“So the co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” she said.

She added that passengers managed to overpower and restrain the co-pilot, while a doctor aboard the aircraft provided first aid to those injured during the incident.

Israeli officials have described the incident as a possible attempted terrorist attack, although investigations are still underway and authorities have not publicly established a final motive.

An Israeli official identified the alleged attacker as an Omani national and said he was arrested after the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia.

The incident initially raised concerns about a possible hijacking, but an official from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office later said authorities did not believe it was a conventional hijacking.

Instead, Israeli officials said their preliminary assessment was that the incident may have been an attempted terror attack rather than an event linked to a mental health issue involving either pilot.

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Defence Minister Israel Katz also described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.

The circumstances inside the cockpit remain under investigation, including what prompted the alleged confrontation and how the co-pilot was able to gain access to the pilot before passengers intervened.

Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft landed safely and that all passengers were accounted for, while Saudi authorities confirmed that the two pilots were taken to hospital.

The airline has not publicly confirmed every detail contained in accounts from Israeli officials and passengers, and the United Arab Emirates has yet to issue a public statement on the incident.

For the passengers aboard FZ1073, what began as a routine flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv became a frightening mid-air emergency before the aircraft finally reached safety in Saudi Arabia.