Israel Says Pilot Tried to Crash Flydubai Flight to Tel Aviv

In September 2026, an Israel-bound Flydubai flight was diverted after an incident in the cockpit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other and tried to crash the plane. Passengers overcame the pilot, according to Netanyahu.

Netanyahu said Israel would join the investigation into the flight. He also said Saudi Arabia was questioning the suspect, and that Israel believed the man was trying to bring the plane down. Israel's security minister commented on the cockpit incident as well.

Netanyahu denied that there had been warnings before October 7. The flight had been heading to Tel Aviv and was diverted to Dubai.