A pilot on a flight from Dubai to Israel stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane before a passenger and a crew member subdued him, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
In a statement posted on X, Netanyahu described a “serious security incident” as the flight neared Israel. He said nearly all the passengers on board were Israelis.
Netanyahu’s account of what happened in the air came partly from a passenger he spoke with. The passenger told him the plane went into a spin and began to dive.
He said he and a crew member then broke into the cockpit and neutralized the pilot as he was trying to sabotage the plane’s systems. According to Netanyahu, another flight crew on board then entered the cockpit and stabilized the aircraft.
The plane landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, and all passengers are out of danger, Netanyahu said. He said the pilot accused of the stabbing was arrested and is being interrogated by Saudi authorities.
Netanyahu’s account has not been independently verified. Earlier statements from the airport and the airline did not describe a stabbing or an attempt to crash the plane.
Netanyahu praised the passenger and crew members who intervened.
“They saved many lives. They prevented a huge disaster.”
He said Israel is in constant contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the passengers’ well-being and their safe return home. He also said he had instructed the security services to prepare for additional potential threats.
Netanyahu’s statement did not name the airline or flight number.
Earlier Wednesday, Cluster 2 Airports said Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport received a distress call at 8:44 a.m. local time from flydubai flight FZ1073 requesting an emergency landing. The flight landed safely at 9:45 a.m., according to the notice.
The captain and first officer were found to be injured and were immediately taken to a hospital, the notice said. Passengers received assistance at the terminal while the airport worked with the airline to arrange a replacement aircraft.
In a separate statement, a flydubai spokesperson said flight FZ1073, from Dubai International to Ben Gurion International Airport, “experienced an incident while en route.” The airline said the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport and all passengers were safe and accounted for.
Relevant authorities are investigating the incident, the airport said. Flydubai said it is working closely with authorities and will release further confirmed details as they become available.
Netanyahu said Israeli officials are holding ongoing situation assessments and will provide updates as the situation develops.
