A flydubai flight carrying 174 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv was abruptly diverted to Saudi Arabia on September 30, 2026, after an in-flight struggle broke out in the cockpit. According to statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and passenger accounts gathered by AFP, the copilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft while flying through Jordanian airspace, sending the plane into a sharp descent that lost roughly 17,000 feet of altitude in one minute.
Cockpit Struggle and Rapid Descent Over Jordanian Airspace
The incident unfolded during flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 recorded the aircraft plunging 17,000 feet in a span of sixty seconds as a physical altercation erupted between the flight deck crew. Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon told reporters via phone that the copilot tried to execute a suicide maneuver using the commercial airliner.
Her account was echoed by other travelers who described the rapid descent as the aircraft approached its destination.
Passenger Intervention Prevents Disaster
As the aircraft plummeted, passengers and additional crew members rushed the cockpit to subdue the attacker. Netanyahu stated that he spoke directly with an Israeli passenger who breached the flight deck during the dive and physically fought the copilot.
Among those on board was a doctor who provided immediate first aid after the scuffle was contained.
Passenger Emergency Broadcast: Social media footage from inside the cabin showed a bloodied passenger recording a plea for help, stating, “Kami sedang mengalami serangan di dalam pesawat. Kami baru saja melumpuhkan teroris tersebut dan bersiap untuk mendarat… Kami butuh bantuan.”
Emergency Diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
With two other pilots taking control of the aircraft, the flight was successfully diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, landing at 09.45 local time. The captain and copilot involved in the altercation both sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital upon landing. Flydubai confirmed that all 174 occupants on board—including 166 Israeli citizens—survived the incident. Yasmin Abukasis, whose daughter Miryam was on the flight traveling to a memorial service, noted that the passengers subsequently waited in Tabuk before boarding a continuation flight to Tel Aviv.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Flydubai Incident
What caused the flydubai flight to divert to Saudi Arabia?
The flight diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following an in-flight altercation in the cockpit between the pilot and copilot while flying over Jordanian airspace.
How many passengers were on board the flight?
According to flydubai, the aircraft carried 174 passengers, of whom 166 were Israeli citizens. All passengers survived the incident.
Were there any injuries reported during the flight?
Aside from the captain and copilot, who sustained injuries requiring hospital treatment in Tabuk, no other passengers were reported injured during the struggle.
Did the plane experience a rapid drop in altitude?
Yes. Flight data from Flightradar24 indicates the aircraft lost approximately 17,000 feet of altitude in one minute during the cockpit struggle before being brought back under control.
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