Flydubai Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Cockpit Stabbing

A Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying approximately 150 passengers from Dubai to Israel, made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia after a severe incident in the cockpit. Reports indicate that the aircraft dropped about 13,000 feet in just 30 seconds due to an alleged confrontation between the pilot and co-pilot.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes, including screams and blood, as passengers feared for their lives. A passenger named Meital recounted how her husband and others rushed to help subdue the alleged attacker, who reportedly used a pocketknife.

Two additional pilots onboard assisted in landing the aircraft safely. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled amid initial fears of a hijacking.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz convened an urgent meeting regarding the incident, which is under investigation by Israeli security agencies to determine if it was a terrorist attack. The pilot involved is reported to be an Omani national, while the co-pilot is from the UAE.