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Flydubai flight hijacking attempt

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-10-01 14:34 UTC → 2026-10-01 22:34 UTC · added removed

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. Israeli authorities also announced plans to increase security screenings for pilots.

Versions

  1. 2026-10-01 22:34 UTC Flydubai flight hijacking attempt
  2. 2026-10-01 14:34 UTC Flydubai flight hijacking attempt
  3. 2026-10-01 02:50 UTC Flydubai flight hijacking attempt
  4. 2026-09-30 23:10 UTC Flydubai flight hijacking attempt
  5. 2026-09-30 22:56 UTC Flydubai flight hijacking attempt
  6. 2026-09-30 22:27 UTC Flydubai flight hijacking attempt

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