May 25, 2026, a flydubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai plunged abruptly after a co‑pilot assaulted the captain. The captain, an Indian national, was stabbed and left bleeding heavily while passengers and crew rushed to the cockpit to stop the attack.
Witnesses reported the attacker shouting "Kill me" before he struck the captain with an object. A dentist on board delivered first‑aid to the injured captain, and reserve pilots managed to keep the aircraft airborne until it landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co‑pilot showed signs of Islamist radicalisation, citing personal information and suggesting the attack may have been suicidal. He added that the incident could have been an attempt to bring the plane down.
The co‑pilot remains unnamed, but Israeli officials say he is an Omani citizen who was moved to Abu Dhabi from Saudi Arabia after the incident. The UAE has declared it will lead the investigation, while Oman and Israel are also involved.
Security experts question how the suspect cleared pre‑flight checks, given that Oman and Israel have no formal diplomatic ties. The Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, is expected to review whether it failed to vet the co‑pilot or if the suspect was approved through a lapse in the aviation agreement.