Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published • loading... • Updated

Israel says pilot tried to hijack Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv that diverted, landed in Saudi Arabia

  • On Wednesday, Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent cockpit incident triggered emergency transponder codes 7700 and 7500, raising immediate hijacking concerns.
  • The Boeing 737 plunged from 34,000 feet to approximately 16,600 feet in roughly two minutes, with flight-tracking data showing a descent rate of 14,125 feet in 29 seconds caused by a violent altercation between the two pilots.
  • Passengers and crew, including Zvika Manes, CEO of Barak Capital Underwriting, restrained the attacker using cables from the aircraft's multimedia headphones while he allegedly stabbed the captain, according to accounts from those on board.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations and stated the situation is "under control," as authorities worked to repatriate all 174 passengers, including 27 children, stranded in Saudi Arabia.
  • Investigators are examining whether the incident was an attempted "terror attack" or a personnel dispute, with some Israeli officials assessing it as terrorism while others attribute it to a cockpit conflict unrelated to security threats.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

1111 Articles

Lean Left

The Israeli Prime Minister accused on Wednesday the first pilot of the Flydubai plane to Tel Aviv of stabbing the captain to cause a crash, forcing him to land urgently in Saudi Arabia. At the same time he greeted "the courage" of the pilot who saved the lives of the 174 occupants. Our follow-up Find here all our articles on the Middle East

·Geneva, Switzerland
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 39% of the sources are Center
39% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

KESQ broke the news on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal