flydubai pilot reportedly stabs co-pilot in attempted hijack; Boeing 737 diverts to Tabuk

September 30, 2026 at 03:35 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30 after one pilot reportedly stabbed the other in an attempted hijack. The aircraft descended more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before passengers helped restrain the attacker. Israeli officials said a major disaster was narrowly avoided.

Key Facts

Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport at 7:05 AM local time on September 30, 20 minutes behind schedule.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration A6-FKF, lost more than 14,000 feet of altitude in less than 30 seconds during the incident.
Tabuk Airport received the first distress call at 8:44 AM local time and the aircraft landed an hour later.
A dentist on board administered life-saving care to the wounded pilot after the attacker was restrained.

The Hijack Attempt

A fight broke out between the two pilots on flydubai flight FZ1073, with one reportedly stabbing the other before being tackled and tied down. Passengers heard screaming and saw blood everywhere, then helped restrain the attacking pilot and remove him from the cockpit. Two additional pilots seated at the rear were instructed to take control of the aircraft. The wounded pilot and the attacker were both taken to hospital with injuries after landing in Tabuk.

Emergency Descent and Diversion

During the struggle, the aircraft descended sharply, losing more than 14,000 feet of altitude in under half a minute. The flight turned around over Jordan and diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Tabuk Airport received the first distress call at 8:44 AM local time, and the jet landed an hour later. Israeli officials said a major disaster was narrowly avoided, citing the altitude loss and rate of descent.

Aftermath and Passenger Continuation

flydubai dispatched a second aircraft to Tabuk to allow passengers to continue their journeys to Tel Aviv. The incident involved a Boeing 737 MAX 8 registered A6-FKF operating the daily Dubai–Tel Aviv service. Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport at 7:05 AM local time, 20 minutes after its scheduled departure.