Flydubai Flight 1073: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL Printable version
Created by
Last edited October 9, 2026
Talk
Newer edit →
VisualWikitext
BellaCH (talk | contribs)
1,070 edits
Created page with "{{Short description|2026 aviation incident in Saudi Arabia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2026}} {{Current event|date=September 2026}} {{Infobox aircraft occurrence | date = {{Start date|2026|09|30|df=y}} | image = A6-FMP @ DXB, 2022-03-25.jpg | caption = A Boeing 737 MAX 8, similar to the aircraft involved | summary = In-flight emergency, diverted | site = Saudi Arabian airspace, near the Jordanian bor..."
 
Hijacking
Tag: references removed
Line 5: Line 5:
| date            = {{Start date|2026|09|30|df=y}}
| date            = {{Start date|2026|09|30|df=y}}
| image          = A6-FMP @ DXB, 2022-03-25.jpg
| image          = A6-FMP @ DXB, 2022-03-25.jpg
| caption        = A [[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 8]], similar to the aircraft involved
| caption        = A [[Flydubai]] [[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 8]], similar to the aircraft involved
| summary        = In-flight emergency, diverted
| summary        = Attempted [[aircraft hijacking|hijacking]] resulting in diversion;<br>
Under investigation
| site            = Saudi Arabian airspace, near the Jordanian border; landed in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]]
| site            = Saudi Arabian airspace, near the Jordanian border; landed in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]]
| aircraft_type  = [[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 8]]
| aircraft_type  = [[Boeing 737 MAX|Boeing 737 MAX 8]]
Line 23: Line 24:
| survivors      = 180
| survivors      = 180
}}
}}
'''Flydubai Flight 1073''' ('''FZ1073/FDB1073''') was a scheduled international passenger of flight operated by [[Flydubai]] from [[Dubai International Airport]] to [[Ben Gurion Airport]]. On 30 September 2026, the [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] broadcast a general emergency code followed by a hijack squawk code, diverted from its flight path, and landed safely in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]], Saudi Arabia. The incident prompted the [[Israeli Air Force]] to scramble fighter jets. Israeli officials initially stated that it was a planned hijacking that was prevented.
'''Flydubai Flight 1073''' was a regularly scheduled international passenger flight operated by [[Flydubai]] from [[Dubai International Airport]] in the United Arab Emirates, to [[Ben Gurion Airport]] in [[Tel Aviv]], Israel. On 30 September 2026, the [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] broadcast a general emergency code followed by a hijack [[squawk code]], before diverting from its original flight path, and making a successful landing in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]], Saudi Arabia.


== Incident ==
== Incident ==
The aircraft, a [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] with the registration A6-FKF, departed from Dubai at 7:05 a.m. ([[Gulf Standard Time|GST]]) carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.<ref name="ynet">{{cite news |last1=Ben Kimon |first1=Elisha |last2=Lifshitz-Kliger |first2=Iris |last3=Eichner |first3=Itamar |last4=Tamari |first4=Liran |title=מכות בין הטייסים: מטוס מדובאי לנתב"ג דיווח על חשש לחטיפה ונחת בסעודיה |trans-title=Fistfight between the pilots: A flight from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport reported a suspected hijacking and landed in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sjc00c7q5gx |work=[[Ynet]] |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref> While flying near the border between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the aircraft's [[transponder (aeronautics)|transponder]] broadcast squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency, and shortly thereafter broadcast code 7500, which designates "unlawful interference" or a hijacking.<ref name="toi">{{cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |title=Hijacking ruled out as flydubai flight to Tel Aviv that declared emergency lands at Saudi airport |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hijacking-ruled-out-as-flydubai-flight-to-tel-aviv-lands-at-saudi-airport/ |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref> The aircraft turned back into Saudi Arabian airspace; according to public flight tracking data, it rapidly descended from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet in less than a minute.<ref name="zman">{{cite news |title=תוך פחות מדקה המטוס צלל מגובה של 34 אלף רגל לכ־17 אלף רגל: כל מה שידוע עד כה על טיסת "פליי דובאי" |trans-title=In less than a minute the plane dived from 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet: Everything known so far about the Flydubai flight |url=https://www.zman.co.il/live/728948/ |work=Zman Yisrael |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=What we know about the flydubai plane incident |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/what-we-know-about-the-flydubai-plane-incident/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> Israeli authorities were briefly unable to establish contact with the flight. Communication was restored shortly after, and the plane landed safely at [[Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport]] in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]], in northwestern Saudi Arabia.<ref name="zman"/><ref name="toi"/>
The aircraft, a [[Boeing 737 MAX 8]] with the registration A6-FKF, departed from Dubai at 7:05 a.m. ([[Gulf Standard Time|GST]]) carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.<ref name="ynet">{{cite news |last1=Ben Kimon |first1=Elisha |last2=Lifshitz-Kliger |first2=Iris |last3=Eichner |first3=Itamar |last4=Tamari |first4=Liran |title=מכות בין הטייסים: מטוס מדובאי לנתב"ג דיווח על חשש לחטיפה ונחת בסעודיה |trans-title=Fistfight between the pilots: A flight from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport reported a suspected hijacking and landed in Saudi Arabia |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/sjc00c7q5gx |work=[[Ynet]] |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref> While flying near the border between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the aircraft's [[transponder (aeronautics)|transponder]] broadcast squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency, and shortly thereafter broadcast code 7500, which designates "unlawful interference" or a hijacking.<ref name="toi">{{cite news |last1=Fabian |first1=Emanuel |date=30 September 2026 |title=Hijacking ruled out as flydubai flight to Tel Aviv that declared emergency lands at Saudi airport |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hijacking-ruled-out-as-flydubai-flight-to-tel-aviv-lands-at-saudi-airport/ |access-date=30 September 2026 |work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> The aircraft turned back into Saudi Arabian airspace; according to public flight tracking data, it rapidly descended from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet in less than a minute.<ref name="zman">{{cite news |title=תוך פחות מדקה המטוס צלל מגובה של 34 אלף רגל לכ־17 אלף רגל: כל מה שידוע עד כה על טיסת "פליי דובאי" |trans-title=In less than a minute the plane dived from 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet: Everything known so far about the Flydubai flight |url=https://www.zman.co.il/live/728948/ |work=Zman Yisrael |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=What we know about the flydubai plane incident |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/what-we-know-about-the-flydubai-plane-incident/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref> Israeli authorities were briefly unable to establish contact with the flight. Communication was restored shortly after, and the plane landed safely at [[Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport]] in [[Tabuk, Saudi Arabia|Tabuk]], in northwestern Saudi Arabia.<ref name="zman"/><ref name="toi"/>


Based on initial assessments, videos, and eyewitness accounts from passengers, it appears that a fight broke out between the two pilots. The first officer stabbed the captain and allegedly attempted to crash or hijack the aircraft. Israeli passengers managed to overpower and restrain him, while a group of off-duty pilots who happened to be on board successfully landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.<ref name=toi2>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=Copilot subdued after stabbing pilot in alleged attempt to crash plane full of Israelis |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/copilot-subdued-after-stabbing-pilot-in-alleged-attempt-to-crash-plane-full-of-israelis/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>
Based on initial assessments, videos, and eyewitness accounts from passengers, it appears that a fight broke out between the two pilots. The first officer stabbed the captain and allegedly attempted to crash or hijack the aircraft. Israeli passengers managed to overpower and restrain him, while a group of off-duty pilots on board the flight successfully landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. Upon landing, the first officer was arrested.<ref name=toi2>{{Cite news |date=2026-09-30 |title=Copilot subdued after stabbing pilot in alleged attempt to crash plane full of Israelis |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/copilot-subdued-after-stabbing-pilot-in-alleged-attempt-to-crash-plane-full-of-israelis/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US |issn=0040-7909}}</ref>


Pictures of the plane taken after landing showed that its rudder was significantly damaged.<ref name=toi2 />
Pictures taken of the plane after it landed show that most of the rudder was missing, and had likely disintegrated mid-air due to the rapid descent.<ref name=toi2 />


== Reactions ==
== Reactions ==
Upon receiving the code indicating a hijacking, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets. Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] and Defense Minister [[Israel Katz]] held a security consultation, and IDF chief of staff [[Eyal Zamir]] held a situational assessment with the commander of the Air Force and other senior military officials.<ref name="ynet"/><ref name="toi"/> Some Israeli sources said that there was no hijacking, and that the distress signals were likely triggered by a physical altercation between the pilots in the cockpit,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Shalev |first1=Tal |last2=Diamond |first2=Jeremy |title=Flight to Israel diverted after pilot broadcasts emergency signal, sources |url=https://abc17news.com/news/national-world/cnn-world/2026/09/30/flight-to-israel-diverted-after-pilot-broadcasts-emergency-signal-sources/ |work=[[CNN]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref><ref name="zman"/> while others claimed it was an attempted terrorist attack.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cornwell |first=Alexander |last2=Amichay |first2=Rami |last3=Cornwell |first3=Alexander |date=2026-09-30 |title=Israeli officials say diverted flydubai incident may be attempted 'terror attack' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/diverted-flydubai-flight-israel-was-not-hijacking-incident-israeli-prime-2026-09-30/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>
Upon receiving the code indicating a alleged hijacking attempt, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets. Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] and Defense Minister [[Israel Katz]] held a security consultation, and IDF chief of staff [[Eyal Zamir]] held a situational assessment with the commander of the Air Force and other senior military officials.<ref name="ynet"/><ref name="toi"/> Israeli officials claimed it was an attempted terrorist attack.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cornwell |first=Alexander |last2=Amichay |first2=Rami |last3=Cornwell |first3=Alexander |date=2026-09-30 |title=Israeli officials say diverted flydubai incident may be attempted 'terror attack' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/diverted-flydubai-flight-israel-was-not-hijacking-incident-israeli-prime-2026-09-30/ |access-date=2026-09-30 |work=Reuters |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260930111831/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/diverted-flydubai-flight-israel-was-not-hijacking-incident-israeli-prime-2026-09-30/ |archive-date=30 September 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>


In an official statement, Flydubai confirmed that an "incident" had occurred during the flight, noting that the plane landed safely in Tabuk and that all passengers were secure. The airline added that further updates would be provided once verified details became available.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia amid reports of pilot fight |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/flydubai-fz1073-diverts-saudi-arabia-7500-code |work=AeroTime |date=30 September 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="פליי דובאי": לכל הנוסעים שהיו על הטיסה מדובאי לישראל - שלום |trans-title="Flydubai": All passengers on the flight from Dubai to Israel are safe |url=https://www.zman.co.il/live/728939/ |work=Zman Yisrael |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref> The company also announced it would send two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to fly the passengers to Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv veers off course, lands in Saudi Arabia after hijacking scare |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910155 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=30 September 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayashi |first=Erika |date=30 September 2026 |title=Updates on FZ 1073 DXB-TLV on 30 September 2026 |url=https://news.flydubai.com/updates-on-fz-1073-dxb-tlv-on-30-september-2026 |website=FlyDubai |language=en}}</ref>
In an official statement, Flydubai confirmed that an "incident" had occurred during the flight, noting that the plane landed safely in Tabuk and that all passengers were secure. The airline added that further updates would be provided once verified details became available.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia amid reports of pilot fight |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/flydubai-fz1073-diverts-saudi-arabia-7500-code |work=AeroTime |date=30 September 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title="פליי דובאי": לכל הנוסעים שהיו על הטיסה מדובאי לישראל – שלום |trans-title="Flydubai": All passengers on the flight from Dubai to Israel are safe |url=https://www.zman.co.il/live/728939/ |work=Zman Yisrael |date=30 September 2026 |language=he}}</ref> The company also announced it would send two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to fly the passengers to Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv veers off course, lands in Saudi Arabia after hijacking scare |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910155 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |date=30 September 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260930135321/https://www.jpost.com/international/article-910155 |archive-date=30 September 2026 |access-date=30 September 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hayashi |first=Erika |date=30 September 2026 |title=Updates on FZ 1073 DXB-TLV on 30 September 2026 |url=https://news.flydubai.com/updates-on-fz-1073-dxb-tlv-on-30-september-2026 |website=FlyDubai |language=en |access-date=30 September 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260930132109/https://news.flydubai.com/updates-on-fz-1073-dxb-tlv-on-30-september-2026 |archive-date=30 September 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[2026 in aviation]]
* [[Suicide by aircraft]]
* Similar accidents and incidents:
** [[Alaska Airlines Flight 2059]]
** [[Federal Express Flight 705]]


== References ==
== References ==
Line 41: Line 49:


{{Aviation accidents and incidents in 2026}}
{{Aviation accidents and incidents in 2026}}


[[Category:2026 in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:2026 in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:September 2026 in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Aircraft hijackings in Asia]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 2026]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 2026]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents involving the Boeing 737]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Hijackings in the 2020s]]
[[Category:Israel–Saudi Arabia relations]]
[[Category:Israel–Saudi Arabia relations]]
[[Category:Israel–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:Israel–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabia–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:Saudi Arabia–United Arab Emirates relations]]
[[Category:September 2026 in Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Tabuk, Saudi Arabia]]
[[Category:Tabuk, Saudi Arabia]]

Revision as of 22:12, 30 September 2026

Flydubai Flight 1073
A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8, similar to the aircraft involved
Occurrence
Date30 September 2026 (2026-09-30)
SummaryAttempted hijacking resulting in diversion;
Under investigation
SiteSaudi Arabian airspace, near the Jordanian border; landed in Tabuk
Aircraft
Aircraft typeBoeing 737 MAX 8
OperatorFlydubai
IATA flight No.FZ1073
ICAO flight No.FDB1073
Call signSKYDUBAI 1073
RegistrationA6-FKF
Flight originDubai International Airport, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DestinationBen Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel
Occupants180
Passengers174
Crew6
Fatalities0
Injuries1+
Survivors180

Flydubai Flight 1073 was a regularly scheduled international passenger flight operated by Flydubai from Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. On 30 September 2026, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 broadcast a general emergency code followed by a hijack squawk code, before diverting from its original flight path, and making a successful landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Incident

The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with the registration A6-FKF, departed from Dubai at 7:05 a.m. (GST) carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.[1] While flying near the border between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the aircraft's transponder broadcast squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency, and shortly thereafter broadcast code 7500, which designates "unlawful interference" or a hijacking.[2] The aircraft turned back into Saudi Arabian airspace; according to public flight tracking data, it rapidly descended from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet in less than a minute.[3][4] Israeli authorities were briefly unable to establish contact with the flight. Communication was restored shortly after, and the plane landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, in northwestern Saudi Arabia.[3][2]

Based on initial assessments, videos, and eyewitness accounts from passengers, it appears that a fight broke out between the two pilots. The first officer stabbed the captain and allegedly attempted to crash or hijack the aircraft. Israeli passengers managed to overpower and restrain him, while a group of off-duty pilots on board the flight successfully landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. Upon landing, the first officer was arrested.[5]

Pictures taken of the plane after it landed show that most of the rudder was missing, and had likely disintegrated mid-air due to the rapid descent.[5]

Reactions

Upon receiving the code indicating a alleged hijacking attempt, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held a security consultation, and IDF chief of staff Eyal Zamir held a situational assessment with the commander of the Air Force and other senior military officials.[1][2] Israeli officials claimed it was an attempted terrorist attack.[6]

In an official statement, Flydubai confirmed that an "incident" had occurred during the flight, noting that the plane landed safely in Tabuk and that all passengers were secure. The airline added that further updates would be provided once verified details became available.[7][8] The company also announced it would send two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to fly the passengers to Israel.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ben Kimon, Elisha; Lifshitz-Kliger, Iris; Eichner, Itamar; Tamari, Liran (30 September 2026). "מכות בין הטייסים: מטוס מדובאי לנתב"ג דיווח על חשש לחטיפה ונחת בסעודיה" [Fistfight between the pilots: A flight from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport reported a suspected hijacking and landed in Saudi Arabia]. Ynet (in עברית).
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fabian, Emanuel (30 September 2026). "Hijacking ruled out as flydubai flight to Tel Aviv that declared emergency lands at Saudi airport". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "תוך פחות מדקה המטוס צלל מגובה של 34 אלף רגל לכ־17 אלף רגל: כל מה שידוע עד כה על טיסת "פליי דובאי"" [In less than a minute the plane dived from 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet: Everything known so far about the Flydubai flight]. Zman Yisrael (in עברית). 30 September 2026.
  4. ↑ "What we know about the flydubai plane incident". The Times of Israel. 30 September 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Copilot subdued after stabbing pilot in alleged attempt to crash plane full of Israelis". The Times of Israel. 30 September 2026. ISSN 0040-7909. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  6. ↑ Cornwell, Alexander; Amichay, Rami; Cornwell, Alexander (30 September 2026). "Israeli officials say diverted flydubai incident may be attempted 'terror attack'". Reuters. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "Flydubai flight diverts to Saudi Arabia amid reports of pilot fight". AeroTime. 30 September 2026.
  8. ↑ ""פליי דובאי": לכל הנוסעים שהיו על הטיסה מדובאי לישראל – שלום" ["Flydubai": All passengers on the flight from Dubai to Israel are safe]. Zman Yisrael (in עברית). 30 September 2026.
  9. ↑ "Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv veers off course, lands in Saudi Arabia after hijacking scare". The Jerusalem Post. 30 September 2026. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
  10. ↑ Hayashi, Erika (30 September 2026). "Updates on FZ 1073 DXB-TLV on 30 September 2026". FlyDubai. Archived from the original on 30 September 2026. Retrieved 30 September 2026.
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flydubai_Flight_1073&oldid=565304"
Discover more