Pilot Allegedly Stabs Co-Pilot As Dubai-Israel Flight Makes Emergency Landing

A Flydubai flight carrying Israeli passengers made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an alleged cockpit confrontation caused the aircraft to plunge thousands of feet, according to Israeli media reports.

Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Israel, reportedly dropped about 13,000 feet in 30 seconds before veering off course, according to FlightRadar data cited in the reports.

The Boeing 737 later landed at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia after transmitting an emergency signal. Israeli media reported that about 150 passengers were onboard.

Passengers described scenes of panic, with witnesses reporting screams and blood after an alleged stabbing inside the cockpit.

A passenger told Channel 12 that travellers saw blood after the cockpit was opened and feared they might not survive. Another passenger, identified as Meital, said her husband and other passengers rushed towards the cockpit and helped subdue the alleged attacker.

Reports said the pilot who allegedly attacked his co-pilot used a pocketknife, while two other pilots onboard later assisted with landing the aircraft.

Israeli fighter jets were reportedly scrambled as authorities initially feared the aircraft had been hijacked. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz also held an urgent meeting over the incident.

Israeli security agencies are investigating whether the incident was intended as a terrorist attack.

Local reports said the pilot involved is an Omani national, while the other pilot is from the UAE. The circumstances remain under investigation.