Netanyahu Hails “Heroes” After Pilot Stabbing and Alleged Bid to Crash flydubai Flight FZ1073

Plane carrying mostly Israeli passengers lands safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after cockpit attack; Israeli PM orders security services to prepare for further threats.

By Khurram Ali RazaFaith & Freedom News (FFN) · 30 September 2026 · 4 min read

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday addressed the nation after what he called “a serious security incident” aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, in which one of the pilots allegedly stabbed his colleague and tried to bring down the aircraft with everyone on board.

In an official video statement released by the Government Press Office (GPO), Netanyahu said almost all passengers on the Dubai–Israel flight were Israelis, and that the attack took place as the aircraft approached the country.

“One of the pilots stabbed the second pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.”— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Passenger Account: Spin, Dive and a Forced Entry

Netanyahu said he spoke with one of the Israeli passengers, who described the aircraft entering a spin and beginning to dive. According to that account, the passenger managed, together with a crew member, to break into the cockpit and neutralise the stabbing pilot while he was allegedly trying to sabotage the plane’s systems. Another flight crew on board then entered the cockpit and stabilised the aircraft.

“I salute these heroes, who displayed exceptional resourcefulness and courage. They saved many lives. They prevented a huge disaster,” the Prime Minister said.

Official Statement: Watch

What We Know

Government Response

Netanyahu said Israel is in constant contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the passengers’ well-being and safe return home. “I have instructed the security services to prepare for additional potential threats,” he added, noting that ongoing situation assessments are being held and that the public will be updated as events develop.