‘The aircraft unexpectedly plunged’: Israeli guests recount turmoil aboard flydubai flight

Public interest news

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, AMIR BOHBOT, AMIT AVITAN YOAV ETIEL
SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 12:20
Upgraded: SEPTEMBER 30, 2026 13:03

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted and made an emergency situation landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a run-in broke out in between the pilot and co-pilot, triggering the activation of a call for help.

An Israeli traveler aboard the flydubai flight informed The Jerusalem Post that a person pilot stabbed another and attempted to require him out of the cockpit as the airplane started to plunge. Israeli authorities later on informed the Post the growing evaluation within Israel was that the co-pilot tried to pirate the aircraft with the objective of crashing it into the ground.

The guest stated Israelis seated near the front hurried to the cockpit and combated the enemy while the airplane was diving. 2 other pilots seated at the back at first appeared surprised. “I screamed at them to run and take control of the aircraft,” the guest stated.

According to the guest, the group handled to get rid of the opponent from the cockpit and get the 2 other pilots inside. One took control of the airplane, while the other took longer to recuperate from the shock.

The traveler explained the stabbed pilot as remaining in vital condition and stated an Israeli dental professional on board treated him and conserved his life.

An Israeli male provides his passport for control upon arrival from Tel Aviv to the Dubai airport in the United Arab Emirates, on November 26, 2020, on the very first scheduled industrial flight run by budget plan airline company flydubai, following the normalisation of ties in between the UAE and Israel. (credit: KARIM SAHIB/AFP through Getty Images)

Uri, who was on the aircraft, informed Walla “I’m traumatized. I hope for good news. They told us a plane is on the way here, and we really hope that’s true. People are still terrified, especially after the plane suddenly plunged.”

“From what I understand, the pilot tried to kill himself together with us,” he included. “Apparently it was an attack. Some of the passengers helped the other pilot take control of him until they landed the plane.”

The airplane at first vanished from flight-tracking systems, raising issues that it might have been pirated. After numerous tense minutes, nevertheless, the scenarios surrounding the occurrence ended up being clearer, and the airplane performed an emergency situation landing in Saudi Arabia. The guests are now waiting on an unique airplane sent out by the airline company that is anticipated to return them to Israel.

The intention of the pilot has actually not been explained at this time.

Among the guests stated that Israeli tourists aboard the airplane were the ones who separated the pilot and co-pilot after the 2 ended up being associated with a violent run-in. Video footage released from the flight revealed one guest with bloodstains on his t-shirt after stepping in between the 2 pilots.

Member of the family battle to reach enjoyed ones aboard flight

N., a citizen of a kibbutz in northern Israel, likewise informed Walla that her 75-year-old mom was on the airplane. Her mom had actually been taking a trip in Nepal for about 2 weeks with a good friend and was going back to Israel through Dubai. Member of the family anticipated to choose her up at the Lev HaMifratz train station, near Haifa, before finding out the flight had actually been postponed.

“There were moments of tremendous anxiety. We couldn’t reach her. We understand there is no reception there and that their SIM cards don’t allow them to make contact,” she stated.

She acknowledged that “given the security situation Israel is in, a hijacking scenario initially sounded like a realistic nightmare scenario.”

“We hope this ends safely. We trust the security forces, and we trust the Saudis, and we hope to hear from her as soon as possible,” she concluded.

The mom of Ofir Spiegel, CEO of a public relations company, was likewise on the airplane while going back to Israel after a two-week getaway in Thailand.

Spiegel explains minute of fear when aircraft plunged

According to Spiegel, “The plane suddenly plunged, and all the passengers knew very well what had happened and understood that there was a problem with one of the pilots.”

Spiegel’s mom likewise stated that Israeli guests, a few of whom were veterans of fight systems, suppressed the individual who triggered the disruption. She stated the travelers stayed aboard the airplane and had actually not yet disembarked.

“All the passengers are fine, but there were moments of anxiety,” she stated.

Miriam, the child of Yasmin Abukasis, was likewise on the flight. Yasmin informed Reuters that “Miriam said she heard shouting, and that a man pulled out a knife or pocketknife, pinned the pilot to the floor, and there was a lot of blood at the scene.”

Reuters added to this report.

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