Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has given his first account of the extraordinary FlyDubai incident that forced flight FZ1073 to divert to Saudi
Arabia, saying one of the pilots stabbed the other and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft. According to Netanyahu, the incident unfolded as the Boeing 737 MAX was approaching Israel. One pilot allegedly attacked the other before attempting to interfere with the aircraft's systems. The situation was brought under control after an Israeli passenger, assisted by a member of the cabin crew, managed to enter the cockpit and subdue the pilot accused of the attack. Netanyahu said another member of the flight crew subsequently entered the cockpit and helped stabilise the aircraft.
🚨🇮🇱 Netanyahu comments on FlyDubai nightmare:
"We are in close contact with the relevant authorities in order to ensure the continuation of the safety of the passengers, in order to ensure their safe return home.
We are prepared for security systems to prepare against…— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 30, 2026
“I salute these heroes who demonstrated resourcefulness and extraordinary courage,” Netanyahu said, adding that their actions “saved many lives and averted a terrible disaster.”
Israeli passenger helped stop cockpit attack
Netanyahu said he had spoken with one of the Israeli passengers involved in the incident. According to his account, the passenger managed to break into the cockpit together with a crew member while the suspected attacker was attempting to sabotage the aircraft's systems. The pair then subdued the pilot who had allegedly stabbed the other pilot.
Another crew member entered the cockpit and managed to regain control of the aircraft, Netanyahu said. The account provides a possible explanation for the extraordinary flight data recorded during the incident.
FZ1073 had experienced a dramatic descent of more than 14,000 feet in less than a minute, while the aircraft also transmitted the emergency transponder codes 7700 and 7500.
The 7500 signal, which indicates unlawful interference, initially triggered fears that the aircraft had been hijacked. The aircraft ultimately diverted from its route between Dubai and Tel Aviv and landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
Suspected attacker arrested in Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu said the pilot accused of carrying out the stabbing has been arrested and is currently being interrogated by Saudi authorities. “We are maintaining close contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the continued safety of the individuals involved and to ensure their safe return to Israel,” he said.
The Israeli prime minister also said he had instructed Israel's security agencies to prepare for other potential threats and continue monitoring the situation. The incident had prompted a major Israeli security response while the aircraft was still airborne. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled and Netanyahu convened an emergency security meeting as authorities initially feared a possible hijacking.
That assessment changed after officials determined that the crisis appeared to have originated inside the cockpit. The investigation remains ongoing, with the alleged attacker in Saudi custody and authorities still working to establish the full sequence of events.
