Netanyahu monitored FZ1073 incident
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations and monitored developments surrounding flydubai flight FZ1073 after concerns were raised over an aviation incident, his office said.
“The incident is under control,” the Prime Minister’s Office said, adding that authorities were using “all means” available to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel.
The statement did not provide further details about what occurred aboard the aircraft or confirm Israeli media reports that the copilot attempted to seize control of the plane.
Copilot may have tried to crash aircraft
Israeli authorities are investigating whether the copilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to seize control of the aircraft and crash it, according to a senior Israeli official cited by Channel 12.
The unnamed official said that “a very serious disaster was prevented,” while the broadcaster reported growing indications that the copilot intended to take control of the aircraft and bring it down with those on board.
Israeli media also reported that the captain was stabbed during the incident. The circumstances and motive remain under investigation, and the account has not been independently confirmed by flydubai or Saudi authorities.
Relief pilots reportedly took control after cockpit attack
A second flight crew traveling aboard FZ1073 reportedly helped bring the aircraft under control after the alleged cockpit attack.
Israeli outlet Walla reported that relief pilots were traveling on the aircraft as passengers and took over the controls after the suspected attacker was subdued. Other Israeli reports said passengers and crew members intervened during the confrontation.
Walla also reported, citing an Israeli security source, that the copilot under investigation was believed to be of Omani origin, although his nationality had not been conclusively established.
Passenger testimony from the Flydubai flight: pic.twitter.com/1bcQR89HB5
— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) September 30, 2026
A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after transmitting emergency transponder codes, including one used to indicate unlawful interference with an aircraft.
Flight FZ1073 landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport (TUU) in Tabuk, flydubai confirmed to AeroTime.
“Flydubai can confirm that flight FZ 1073 operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on 30 September experienced an incident while en route,” a flydubai spokesperson said.
“The aircraft has landed safely in Tabuk Airport (TUU) and all passengers are safe and accounted for. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.”
The airline added that its teams were working with the relevant authorities and that further updates would be issued as more confirmed details became available.
Aaccording to Flightradar24 flight data, the aircraft was identified as A6-FKF, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 operating the scheduled service from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport (TLV).
During the incident, the aircraft initially transmitted squawk code 7700, the standard code for a general emergency. It then briefly switched to 7500, which is reserved for unlawful interference with an aircraft, before returning to 7700 as it diverted toward Tabuk.
Timeline of flight #FZ1073 — all times UTC:
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 30, 2026
03:05 — Take off from Dubai International Airport
05:31 — Squawk changed to 7700
05:38 — Squawk changed to 7500
06:11 — Aircraft left Flightradar24 ground-based coverage
06:28 — Squawk 7700 received via satellite
06:58 — Last signal… pic.twitter.com/ChlUs4kRDU
Flightradar24 ADS-B and aircraft movement timeline related to today’s #FZ1073, which diverted to Tabuk after an onboard security incident. https://t.co/RI2L3pbJCC pic.twitter.com/qvNtoJJ5HM
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) September 30, 2026
The Times of Israel reported that Israeli fighter aircraft were scrambled while authorities assessed the situation.
Israeli media subsequently reported that the emergency followed a fight between the flight’s pilots. Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that the aircraft had been diverted following a “fight between the pilots.”
However, the circumstances surrounding the reported altercation have not been independently confirmed. As of the time of writing, flydubai and Saudi aviation authorities had not publicly explained what prompted the emergency signals or the diversion.
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, and subsequent Israeli reports said the possibility of a hijacking had been ruled out.