Flydubai Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Hijacking Attempt
A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv had to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after one of its pilots attempted to hijack the plane. The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, when the pilot reportedly stabbed his colleague and took control of the cockpit.
The plane was flying at an altitude of 30,875 feet when it began descending sharply, losing over 14,000 feet in under a minute. Passengers were able to intervene, tackling the attacker and tying him down until the other pilots could take control of the plane.
The flight diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where both the wounded pilot and his attacker were taken to hospital with injuries. A replacement aircraft was dispatched from Dubai to continue the passengers' journey to Tel Aviv.