# Flydubai flight hijacking attempt > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/flydubai-flight-hijacking-attempt > Updated: 2026-09-30T21:39:12.000Z. Sources: 1065. Developments: 2. On September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to make an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia following a violent altercation in the cockpit. The incident triggered emergency transponder codes 7700 and 7500, indicating a general emergency and potential unlawful interference. Flight tracking data confirmed the aircraft underwent a sharp descent of over 5,000 meters in two minutes during the crisis. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that one pilot stabbed the other and attempted to crash the aircraft, describing the event as a “highly severe security incident.” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the event as a “jihadist terrorist attack attempt,” though other reports characterized it as a physical altercation between crew members. The captain, identified as Smit Machchhar, sustained injuries but is reported to be in stable condition. The co-pilot, described by officials as an Omani national, was detained by Saudi authorities. Passengers and crew intervened to subdue the attacker, allowing the aircraft to regain control. An Israeli passenger, identified as Yaniv, reportedly used a chokehold to help stabilize the situation. While the airline confirmed all 180 passengers were safe, both pilots were hospitalized with injuries in Tabuk. Saudi authorities, working alongside a security team from the United Arab Emirates, conducted a preliminary investigation confirming the assault. Both pilots were subsequently treated in a Saudi hospital before being transferred to Abu Dhabi. U.S. President Donald Trump later spoke with Netanyahu regarding the incident, noting that the passenger’s actions were aided by knowledge from the television program ‘Air Crash Investigation’. In the aftermath, Flydubai temporarily suspended flights to and from Israel, and the UAE has launched a formal investigation to determine the motives and whether any terrorist links exist. ## Claims - The emergency was caused by a physical altercation between the pilots rather than a hijacking. (disputed by 34 sources) - The incident was a jihadist terrorist attack attempt. (disputed by 3 sources) - The aircraft transmitted emergency codes 7700 and 7500 during its flight. (corroborated by 52 sources) - The Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept or monitor the aircraft. (corroborated by 30 sources) - The aircraft involved was a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8. (corroborated by 30 sources) - The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, and all passengers are safe. (corroborated by 29 sources) - Flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred. (corroborated by 28 sources) - One pilot reportedly stabbed the other during a physical altercation in the cockpit. (corroborated by 26 sources) - The plane diverted and landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Israeli leadership, including Netanyahu and Katz, held urgent security meetings regarding the incident. (corroborated by 23 sources) - The flight carried approximately 150 to 180 passengers, including a significant number of Israeli citizens. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The emergency signals were transmitted while the aircraft was over Jordanian airspace. (corroborated by 17 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Donald Trump discusses flydubai hijacking attempt with Netanyahu Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu discussed a flydubai flight hijacking attempt that forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a crew member attacked a pilot. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/donald-trump-discusses-flydubai-hijacking-attempt-with-netanyahu ### 2026-09-30: Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit altercation A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain, forcing passengers to intervene and subdue the assailant. 1064 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/flydubai-flight-diverts-to-saudi-arabia-after-emergency-hijacking-signals --- Cite as: Flydubai flight hijacking attempt. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/flydubai-flight-hijacking-attempt