Flydubai flight diverted after co-pilot attacks captain in cockpit
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to land in Saudi Arabia after the Omani co-pilot assaulted the captain in the cockpit.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 left Dubai for Tel Aviv at 6:05 am local time and, after about two hours in the air, descended sharply, losing 17,400 feet in under two minutes before issuing a distress call and squawking the hijack code 7500. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed without further incident. Investigators say the Omani co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe, prompting questions about the motive—whether it was a terror act or a personal suicide attempt.
The UAE prosecutor general has opened an inquiry, while Israeli officials, including the prime minister, have discussed the case with UAE leadership and plan to participate in the suspect’s interrogation. The possibility of Iranian involvement remains unconfirmed, and security procedures for crew members are under review.
Why it matters
The incident raises concerns about cockpit security and the potential for insider threats on commercial flights.
How this story developed
- Sep 30 Netanyahu hails Indian pilot who thwarted alleged flydubai sabotage
- Sep 30 "Every pilot that is going to be flying into Israel, we are going to know the pilots' identities, know who they are, and do some type of security check," Doron Spielman said.
- Oct 1 U.S. President Donald Trump publicly praised the Indian pilot.
- Oct 1 Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia arrested one of the pilots who allegedly tried to crash a FlyDubai flight.
- Oct 1 Israel’s transport minister ordered a six‑day suspension of Flydubai flights to Israel and Emirates halted code‑share operations on those routes.
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