FlyDubai Plane Suspected Hijacking: Videos Show Panic After Pilot Stabbed

When a commercial flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv lost altitude and sent emergency signals over Jordan, Israeli and Saudi officials rushed to explain a scene that, according to witnesses, involved a pilot stabbing the captain and attempting to bring the aircraft down. The incident, which forced the Boeing 737‑Max 8 to land at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, has prompted swift investigations and heightened security alerts across the region.

Timeline of the Incident

• 08:44 UTC – Tabuk air traffic control receives a distress call and prepares for an emergency landing.
• 09:45 UTC – The aircraft lands safely at Tabuk; both pilots are taken to a hospital.

Comparative Data

The flight, operated by FlyDubai, had been a routine 737‑Max 8 service that had departed Dubai with a full complement of passengers, the majority of whom were Israeli nationals. The aircraft’s flight‑tracking data, accessed by multiple outlets, revealed a sudden and steep descent that began as the aircraft approached Jordanian airspace, followed by a rapid change in heading back toward Saudi territory.

Media additions

According to Newsweek, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incident involved a co‑pilot who stabbed the captain and tried to bring the plane down. Netanyahu added that a passenger and a cabin crew member entered the cockpit, subdued the attacker, and that another crew member took control of the aircraft to guide it toward Tabuk. The Israeli leader characterised the event as a “serious security incident” and praised the passengers as “heroes.”

FlyDubai’s own statement echoed the notion of an “altercation” in the cockpit, but emphasised that the aircraft was “successfully secured” by on‑board crew and that the flight was diverted for safety. The airline further noted that the motive for the incident was unknown and that it was “subject to a formal investigation.”

Saudi authorities confirmed that the co‑pilot was taken to a hospital with injuries and was being interrogated. The Tabuk airport’s air traffic control centre reported receiving the distress call at 08:44 UTC and that the aircraft landed at 09:45 UTC. The airport said both pilots were treated for injuries, but did not disclose further details.

Passengers’ accounts, relayed by Fox News and CBS News, describe a dramatic “massive drop” and an ensuing “riot” at the front of the aircraft. Several passengers reported seeing blood and hearing screams, and one said the plane “went into a spin and began to plunge.” One passenger told Israeli officials that the attack had been stopped when a crew member entered the cockpit and “held down” the alleged attacker.

In a separate discussion, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as an “attempted jihadist terror attack,” a view echoed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir, who labelled the alleged attacker a “terrorist.” These statements have intensified scrutiny over whether the incident should be treated as a hijacking or an internal crew dispute.

While the immediate crisis has been contained, investigators from Saudi, Israeli, and FlyDubai sides are still piecing together the exact sequence of events. The co‑pilot remains in custody, and the airline has said it will cooperate fully with authorities. Passengers have been flown back to Israel on replacement aircraft, and the incident has been classified as a “serious security event” by the Israeli government.

Looking ahead, Israeli officials have called for a comprehensive review of aviation security procedures on routes that pass through Jordan and Saudi airspace, while Saudi authorities have pledged to maintain a thorough investigation. The outcome of the inquiry will likely influence future flight operations and diplomatic arrangements between Israel, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.