Flydubai Pilot Arrested After 'Apparently' Trying to Crash Israel-Bound Plane, Says Netanyahu
The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has been arrested after seemingly attempting to crash the plane after stabbing the pilot, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on September 30, 2026 that the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had been arrested. The arrest came after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane, while it was approaching Israel. Passengers on the flight, along with on-duty Flydubai crew members, were able to break into the cockpit and restrain the co-pilot, allowing the pilots to safely land the plane in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli authorities are now set to interrogate the co-pilot, identified as FZ1073. According to Netanyahu, the passengers described the plane going into a spin and descending, before the crew members overpowered the stabbing pilot. Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft was successfully secured by their crew, and all passengers and crew are safe. The airline added that the motives behind the incident remain under investigation.
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