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Saudi Arrests Pilot After Stabbing, Flight Declares 7700

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 9:57 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Passengers and two off-duty pilots restrained a pilot who stabbed his co-pilot on Flight FZ1073.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 dropped from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in one minute after the attack.
The aircraft transmitted emergency code 7700, briefly switched to 7500 for unlawful interference, then returned to 7700.
Saudi authorities arrested the suspected attacker and treated the pilots at a Tabuk hospital.
Flydubai sent two replacement aircraft to return the 160-180 passengers to Israel.

History

Historical Context

On 4 July 1976, Israeli Sayeret Matkal, Paratroopers and Golani commandos stormed Entebbe International Airport in Uganda, rescuing more than 100 hostages from an Air France hijacking. The operation set a precedent for counter-hijack tactics, a challenge that reappears in incidents like the recent Flydubai assault. The airport, Uganda’s principal international gateway, also marked Queen Elizabeth II’s 1952 departure after her father’s death.

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Story summary

Passengers and two off-duty pilots restrained a pilot who stabbed his co-pilot on Flight FZ1073.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 dropped from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in one minute after the attack.
The aircraft transmitted emergency code 7700, briefly switched to 7500 for unlawful interference, then returned to 7700.
Saudi authorities arrested the suspected attacker and treated the pilots at a Tabuk hospital.
Flydubai sent two replacement aircraft to return the 160-180 passengers to Israel.

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