Wednesday, September 30, 2026 - A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent incident involving the pilots.
Israeli officials said the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during the flight, prompting an emergency signal and a rapid drop in altitude. The Boeing 737 eventually landed safely in Tabuk, where both pilots were taken to hospital.
Passengers and other crew members reportedly intervened after the cockpit confrontation, with reports saying they helped overpower the attacker and regain control of the aircraft.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane descended by nearly 14,000 feet in about 30 seconds before stabilising. Around 150 passengers were on board, and reports said they were safe after the emergency landing.
The incident is now under investigation, with Israeli officials saying they are treating it as a possible attempted terror attack.
Earlier statements had indicated that the event was not believed to be a conventional hijacking, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the pilots' confrontation and its motive.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia and Israel are continuing to investigate as passengers await arrangements to continue their journey to Israel.
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