Here is what we know, and do not know, about the reported attempt by the co-pilot of Flydubai Flight 1073 to crash the plane on September 30 before it landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
What happened to the plane?
The flight, carrying more than 170 mostly Israeli passengers and crew, departed Dubai at 3.05 am GMT, according to flight data reviewed by Reuters.
At 5.21 am GMT, while in Saudi airspace, it made a sudden, sharp turn and plunged towards the ground twice before stabilising. The plane lost more than 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds during its most dramatic dive.
It then sent distress signals indicating an emergency and unlawful interference. The aircraft changed course over Jordanian airspace and diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
At one point, the transponder was switched off for nearly half an hour, according to an Israeli official.
What happened in the cockpit?
The co-pilot attacked and wounded the captain during the flight, according to the captain and Israeli and Saudi officials.
During one of the plane’s plunges, the wounded captain, who was lying on the floor, managed to open the cockpit door, he said, allowing passengers to enter and overpower the co-pilot.
Israeli officials cited witnesses as saying that the co-pilot was “bashing” the control panel, although they did not provide further details. They said he appeared to be trying to crash the plane.
One passenger managed to stabilise the aircraft after the co-pilot was subdued. The passenger said he knew how to do this after watching a television programme about plane crashes.
Two off-duty pilots who were travelling on the flight then took control and landed the aircraft, according to witnesses and Israeli officials.
Both the co-pilot and captain suffered injuries, Saudi officials said. Videos from inside the cabin, verified by Reuters, showed the wounded captain and co-pilot, blood apparently smeared on the walls and passengers restraining the co-pilot.
What isn’t clear?
The exact sequence and timing of events inside the aircraft remain unclear. It is also not known how the co-pilot overpowered the captain or what weapon was used.
In one video, a passenger can be heard asking about a knife, while another refers to a stabbing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has raised the possibility that a crash axe kept on board the aircraft was used.
How close did the plane come to crashing?
At its steepest point, the aircraft was losing altitude at about 544 feet (166 metres) per second.
Reuters noted that similar flight trajectories have preceded several major crashes.
Travellers board a FlyDubai aircraft at Ben Gurion International Airport after a separate FlyDubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Ammar Awad
What role did passengers play?
A woman passenger noticed a commotion in the cockpit when the captain opened the door and alerted others on the aircraft.
At least four passengers rushed towards the cockpit, where they attacked and restrained the co-pilot.
The passenger who later helped stabilise the aircraft said he first pulled the co-pilot away from the controls with the help of other passengers.
Two other passengers attacked the co-pilot and tied him up using earphone cables, according to one of them. A doctor travelling on the flight treated the wounded captain.
Captain Smit Machchar. Photo: Screengrab/CS Zalak Mehta
Why were there other trained pilots on the flight?
The two off-duty Flydubai pilots were likely travelling as backup for the crew in case of fatigue, a pilot interviewed by Reuters said.
Flights in the Middle East have frequently had to reroute because of the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran, the pilot said.
Flydubai said on Friday that a full investigation was under way.
What do we know about the co-pilot?
Israeli officials said the co-pilot is an Omani national and alleged that he was trying to crash the aircraft.
Little else has been publicly established about his motives or identity. Omani authorities have not commented, and there has been no public statement from the co-pilot or a representative.
After receiving treatment for his injuries, he was taken to Abu Dhabi, according to Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry.
Netanyahu told Fox News that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination”, without providing details, and said he was suicidal. Israeli security officials have said he was likely acting alone, although the investigation is continuing.
Israel’s ambassador to the UAE has said that no motive has been established.
Was Iran or another country involved?
Israeli security officials said Israel had not identified any Iranian involvement in the incident so far.
Iran has not commented on the allegations.
Who is handling the investigation?
The United Arab Emirates has ordered an investigation into the incident. UAE judicial authorities have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE and operates under its flag.
Netanyahu said Israel, which has close diplomatic and security ties with the UAE, would be “possibly participating” in the investigation.
Saudi Arabia said it had conducted the preliminary investigation with security teams from the UAE.
How was this allowed to happen?
Pilots undergo background checks and regular psychological assessments as part of aviation security measures strengthened following the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.
Israel also has strict screening procedures for people travelling to the country. These include restrictions on pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel, such as Oman.
Netanyahu has said Israel will examine the “loophole” that allowed the co-pilot to be part of the flight crew.
His office said Israel is set to strengthen security checks on pilots flying into the country.
