The aircraft, which had departed Dubai at 07:15 local time, sent its first distress signal 2.5 hours into flight when the Emirati pilot, allegedly stabbed, tried to seize control of the aircraft.
The co‑pilot, a national of Oman, countered the assault, engaging in a struggle that forced the plane to descend 17,400 feet over two minutes before stabilising.
Passengers reported hearing shouts and a steep dip in altitude, and the flight pivoted over Jordan before diverting to Tabuk, a joint civilian‑military base in Saudi Arabia, where it landed at 12:32.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting on the evening of September 28, stating the incident was “under control” and demanding a full probe into the cockpit security breach.
The flydubai CEO met with Israeli transportation officials, confirming the airline’s cooperation with “relevant authorities” and pledging additional updates as details emerge.
Investigators will examine flight data recorders and cockpit communications, while the airline reviews its pilot vetting and emergency protocols ahead of the next scheduled flight to Israel.