Created Wednesday, Sep 30th 2026 08:56Z, last updated Wednesday, Sep 30th 2026 19:47Z
A FlyDubai Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration A6-FKF performing flight
FZ-1073 from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to Tel Aviv (Israel) with 174 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute at FL340 about 130nm northeast of Tabuk (Saudi Arabia) when the aircraft descended from FL340 to about 19000 feet within about 90 seconds reportedly due to a fight in the cockpit. The transponder code for unlawful interference was transmitted prompting the dispatch of Israeli fighter jets to the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently levelled off at about 15000 feet, changed the transponder code to general emergency and diverted to Tabuk for a landing without further incident about 85 minutes after leaving FL340. The captain received serious injuries from multiple stab wounds, the first officer was subdued and also received injuries, both were taken to a hospital. The aircraft received substantial damage.
Passenger photos show two persons in the aisle and in passenger seats with blood on their shirts.
Passengers report a physical fight broke out in the cockpit, someone attempted to stab a pilot with a pocket knife, they saw a lot of blood. The plane was out of control for some time, passengers helped to bring the situation under control. A number of cabin crew and passengers managed to get through the cockpit door and restrain the attacker, who was pinned against the floor. Control of the aircraft was regained thereafter.
Local Authorities are investigating whether one of the pilots stabbed the other one and are also looking into the possibility that one of the pilots attempted suicide by crashing the aircraft.
Israeli Authorities have opened an investigation against the first officer amid growing indications that he tried to take over the aircraft in order to crash it.
An Israeli official reported that two other pilots in civil clothes travelling as passengers intervened successfully, these are also the ones shown on the passenger pictures with blood on their shirts. One of the pilots is citizen of South Africa, the other of New Zealand.
Israel's Air Defense Forces report the captain is citizen of the United Arab Emirates, the first officer Omani citizen. The Omani citizen is believed to have attempted to crash the aircraft.
The airline reported the aircraft carrying 174 passengers including 27 children experienced an incident enroute. Another aircraft is being sent from Dubai to Tabuk to pick the passengers up. The airline later confirmed the emergency was triggered by a fight between the pilots. The airline is investigating the incident and has also informed Israeli Authorities.
Tabuk Airport reported both pilots received injuries and were taken to a hospital.
Saudi Arabia's NTSC reported, they have commenced an investigation into the occurrence.
A replacement Boeing 737-8 MAX, registration A6-FKJ, positioned from Dubai to Tabuk and returned the passengers to Dubai arriving into Dubai about 16 hours after departure.
In the evening of Sep 30th 2026 The Aviation Herald received information, that the two pilots travelling as passengers were Flydubai Crew deadheading to Tel Aviv. They landed the aircraft into Tabuk. The assigned captain of the flight was not UAE citizen but citizen of India.
The aircraft seen after landing in Tabuk:
Related Flight:
FZ1073,
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