Business

Flydubai scare: What we know about the pilots?

By Sohail Khan 30 September 2026, 5:00 pm

Benchmarks
Nifty22,620.45-95.75

FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★

Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth

5Y Return
20.13 %

Invest Now

Enter search text:

Business News›News›International›Global Trends›Flydubai FZ1073 plane hijack scare: Who are the pilots? Here's what we know

Read Today's Paper

Flydubai FZ1073 plane hijack scare: Who are the pilots? Here's what we know
Synopsis

Chaos erupted on a Flydubai flight headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the cockpit witnessed an intense clash between pilots just after departure. Emergency signals were sent, prompting a swift military response from Israel. Reports reveal that one pilot stabbed the other, forcing an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Fortunately, passengers and crew intervened, securing the injured pilot until landing. Investigations are currently exploring the incident further.

A Flydubai jet carrying around 180 Israeli passengers was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals, including a code associated with a possible hijacking, shortly after departing Dubai for Tel Aviv, according to reports.

Flight-tracking data showed that the Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, initially squawked code 7700, indicating a general emergency. The aircraft later switched to code 7500, an internationally recognised signal for unlawful interference, including a possible hijacking.

According to reports, the incident was caused by a violent altercation between the flight’s pilots rather than a hijacking.

One pilot allegedly stabbed the other with a folding knife. Passengers and crew members reportedly intervened to subdue the attacker before the aircraft made an emergency landing.

The alerts prompted Israel to scramble military aircraft amid fears that the flight had been hijacked. The plane subsequently diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, a city in northwestern Saudi Arabia that hosts both civilian and military aviation facilities.

Who are the pilots?

Nothing much is known about the pilots till now. But according to The Times of Israel, which cited Israeli news outlet Walla, the pilot under investigation is Omani.

Channel 12 reported that a second team of pilots, dressed in civilian clothes, was travelling as passengers on the aircraft. According to the report, they helped prevent one of the pilots from taking control of the aircraft.

Israeli media have also reported that authorities are investigating whether one of the pilots attempted to crash the plane. Channel 12 said authorities were examining the possibility that one pilot attempted to commit suicide by trying to crash the aircraft, with the other pilot apparently intervening.

These reports have not been independently confirmed. Neither Flydubai nor the authorities involved in the incident have provided details about what happened inside the cockpit.

Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source
Add Now!

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

(You can now subscribe to our WhatsApp channel)

Read More News on
Flydubai hijack scareFlydubai flight FZ1073Boeing 737 MAX 8 incidentOmani pilot investigationIsrael military aircraft scrambleFlyDubai FZ1073 plane

Enter search text:

Continue reading with one of these options:
Limited Access
Free
Login to get access to some exclusive stories

& personalised newsletters
Login Now

Unlimited Access
Starting @ Rs120/month
Get access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &

in-depth stock reports
Subscribe Now

Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL

15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers

Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00

I'd rather pay ₹2599 now

Uh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.

Worry not. You’re just a step away.

Prime Account Detected!

It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with

Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.

Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!

Subscribe to gain powerful insights on business, stock market and industry trends.

Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off

Student Only Offer

Already a Member? Sign In now

Already a Member? Sign In now
Already a Member? Sign In now

Offer Exclusively For You

Save up to Rs. 700/-

ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get 1 Year Free

With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

Get Flat 40% Off

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Offer Exclusively For You

ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month

Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year

Avail Offer

Special Offer

Get flat 40% off on ETPrime

Avail Offer
Avail Offer

Claim NowAlready a Member? Sign In now

Need Assistance?

Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance

+91 9484700004

' + h3 + '

' + h4 + '

' + listing + '

What’s Included with

ETPrime Membership

1Exclusive Insights That Matter

Uncover the truth with our investigative stories

Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies

Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends

Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter

Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US

What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.

Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?

The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy

A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year