Breaking: Co-pilot Stabs Captain of Israel-bound Fly Dubai Flight in Failed Hijack Bid

A mid-air altercation unfolded on Flydubai Flight FZ1073 as it flew from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where the co-pilot repeatedly stabbed the captain with a pocketknife, attempting to hijack the aircraft. The Boeing 737 Max 8 transmitted Code 7500, an international signal for unlawful interference, prompting Israel to deploy fighter jets. The Boeing 737 Max 8 plummeted between 13,000 and 20,000 feet within minutes, triggering extreme panic among passengers and crew.

Upon hearing screams and the sudden dive of the plane, flight attendants and several passengers—including Israelis—managed to break through the cockpit door and subdue the attacker. A second team of off-duty pilots, also traveling as passengers, stepped in to regain control of the aircraft. The captain sustained significant stab wounds, but a dentist on board stabilized him mid-flight. Despite the ordeal, all 180 passengers and crew members survived the incident.

Initial reports suggest the co-pilot, an Omani national, attempted to take control of the flight with the intent to crash it. Witnesses described a heated argument at the front of the plane just 90 minutes into the journey, which escalated into a violent confrontation in the cockpit. Israeli officials stated that the pilot and co-pilot were both injured during the struggle. Passengers recounted the desperate pleas from inside the plane, "Anyone who can hear me, we need help."

The plane was eventually diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after Israeli authorities were alerted to the chaos. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz convened an emergency security meeting following the incident. The co-pilot is currently under investigation for attempting to hijack the plane and crash it. Israeli authorities ordered a joint command center with other security agencies to prepare for any further threats.