Evidence

Multiple independent news outlets reported on a September 30, 2026 Flydubai flight (FZ1073) incident in which a co-pilot allegedly attacked and stabbed the captain mid-flight, causing the plane to drop roughly 17,000 feet before an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Yahoo News (syndicating a wire report) described the plane plunging 17,000 feet after the alleged stabbing. Fox13 News cited Reuters and three Israeli officials saying cabin crew took over the cockpit after the co-pilot stabbed the captain, with officials raising the possibility of a 'terror attack.' The Times of Israel reported the co-pilot was subdued after stabbing the pilot in an alleged attempt to crash the plane, which was carrying Israeli passengers. Al Jazeera covered questions about how the co-pilot was cleared to fly. Newsweek reported Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly named the captain as Capt. Smit Machchhar and that Cluster2 Airports (which manages Tabuk airport) confirmed a distress call and landing request. I did not find a published fact-check verdict from Reuters Fact Check, AFP Fact Check, Bellingcat, or EUvsDisinfo specifically evaluating this claim — this appears to be breaking/developing news coverage rather than a disputed viral claim subjected to formal fact-checking.