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Flydubai Plane Drops 14,000 Feet in 30 Seconds After Pilot Knife Attack; 150 Israelis Onboard
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CNBC Awaaz•30-09-2026, 18:47
Flydubai Plane Drops 14,000 Feet in 30 Seconds After Pilot Knife Attack; 150 Israelis Onboard
- •A major accident was averted on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv after an alleged altercation between pilots led to the plane being diverted and safely landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
- •According to three Israeli officials, the flight's co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a knife, and Israel is investigating the incident as a potential "terrorist attack."
- •Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft experienced a sudden and rapid descent of approximately 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before sending the first emergency signal.
- •Tabuk Airport stated both pilots were hospitalized after sustaining injuries, though the attacker was not identified.
- •Following the incident, national security discussions intensified in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meeting with security officials.
Key Questions Answered
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after an alleged altercation and knife attack involving the co-pilot and captain in the cockpit.
Approximately 150 Israeli passengers were on board the Boeing 737 aircraft, and all passengers were reported safe after the plane landed.
Israel is investigating the incident as a potential terrorist attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding security meetings and working to bring the passengers home.
