Mina :
Real, developing incident from this morning (Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026). Here is what is known so far.
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What happened
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 (Dubai to Tel Aviv) was about 2 to 2.5 hours into the flight when a fight broke out in the cockpit over Jordan. The co-pilot, described by Israeli officials as an Omani national who had worked at Flydubai for less than a year, stabbed the captain multiple times.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have called it an apparent attempted terror attack / “jihadist terror attack,” with the goal of crashing the plane (some officials compared it to a 9/11-style attempt). The aircraft suddenly plunged roughly 13,000 to 18,000 feet in under two minutes and transmitted emergency codes, including the hijacking squawk (7500). Israeli fighter jets were scrambled.
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How it ended
Passengers (the flight was carrying about 160 to 180 people, almost all Israeli) and crew forced their way into the cockpit, subdued the attacker, and restrained him.
Off-duty pilots traveling as passengers took over the controls.
The plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
All passengers are reported safe. No passenger deaths or serious passenger injuries have been reported.
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The pilots
Both the captain and co-pilot were injured and taken to hospital in Tabuk.
The captain (reported by Israeli media as an Indian national) was stabbed several times, including in the abdomen. Videos circulating show him on the floor, bloodied, wearing an oxygen mask. Reports describe his condition as serious.
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The co-pilot (the alleged attacker) was also injured in the struggle, arrested by Saudi authorities, and is being interrogated.
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Flydubai’s official statement only confirmed an “altercation” in the flight deck and that the aircraft was secured and landed safely. They have cautioned against speculation while investigations continue (Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are all involved).
This is still very fresh. More details on motive, the exact sequence, and the captain’s condition will likely emerge in the next day or two.
2026-09-30 16:43:40