A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a dramatic in-flight emergency when the pilot allegedly attacked his co-pilot with a knife and attempted to hijack the aircraft on Wednesday morning. Passengers and a second crew of pilots in civilian clothes on board managed to subdue the attacker before the situation escalated into a catastrophe, preventing what Israeli officials described as a "major disaster that was narrowly avoided."

The incident saw Flight FZ1073 suddenly descend approximately 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before transmitting emergency signals and diverting over Jordanian airspace towards Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Israeli security officials, including the IDF, Mossad and Shin Bet, concluded the incident was intended as a terrorist attack. The pilot and co-pilot sustained injuries during the confrontation, whilst passengers administered aid after the attacker was subdued. One heroic passenger, Itzhak Liber, filmed a plea for assistance whilst covered in blood, stating that passengers had taken control of the situation and were approaching an emergency landing in an unfamiliar area.