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One pilot 'stabbed the other' and 'apparently tried to crash' Israel-bound plane, Netanyahu says
- On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent cockpit incident involving a stabbing and sudden altitude loss.
- Israeli officials allege an Omani co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, and attempted to crash the aircraft, though Flydubai describes the event as an 'altercation' between pilots.
- Flightradar24 data shows the Boeing 737 MAX 8 dropped from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet while transmitting emergency codes 7700 and 7500, before passengers and crew intervened to neutralize the attacker.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot, while injured pilots were hospitalized and Israeli warplanes briefly scrambled over hijacking fears.
- Authorities are increasing security scrutiny for Israel-bound flights, while pragmatic aviation cooperation between Israel and Saudi Arabia—which lack formal diplomatic ties—enabled the emergency landing.
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According to Netanyahu, the incident could have ended in another 9/11. Now, eyewitnesses are telling the dramatic minutes when passengers prevented a plane from plummeting to the ground.
·Copenhagen, Denmark
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A pilot stabbed his colleague during an Emirati airline flight to Israel, causing panic on board the aircraft.
·Montreal, Canada
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Passengers foil bid to crash plane, Israel says, after co-pilot stabs pilot
The incident involves 174 people on board, with one injured pilot hospitalized, and draws attention from international leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the passengers' bravery
·Pasig, Philippines (the)
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources1000
Leaning Left129Leaning Right175Center174Last UpdatedBias Distribution37% Right
Bias Distribution
- 37% of the sources lean Right
37% Right
L 27%
C 36%
R 37%
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