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← All fact checksAfternoon run · September 30, 2026 · #2 by reach
CrimeConflictOtherEvent claim

Did the co-pilot stab the pilot on Flydubai flight?

Did the Flydubai co-pilot deliberately try to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight FZ1073 after stabbing the captain?

True, but…

The co-pilot stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the aircraft, leading to a safe landing.

Yes, a co-pilot stabbed the pilot on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026. The plane diverted to Saudi Arabia after the incident, landing safely.

+2Sources ↓Original post ↗
Likely genuine
The post as it circulated, labelled by our media check.Image

Claims

✓ 4 true

A co-pilot stabbed the pilot and then apparently tried to crash the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.123

✓ TrueCentral claimHigh confidence

Independent reports from major news outlets confirm that a violent incident occurred on Flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30, 2026. Reports state that one pilot stabbed the other, with indications of an attempted crash emerging. Investigative authorities are looking into the incident, which led to an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The high confidence band stems from the corroboration of this incident across multiple reliable sources, including the AP, Reuters, and Al Jazeera. This widespread reporting emphasizes the seriousness of the event and the veracity of the specifics shared.

The flight carried 174 passengers including 27 children.4

✓ Likely trueModerate confidence

Various local reports claimed there were 174 passengers aboard the flight, including 27 children. However, while these specific numbers are cited frequently, they were not always listed in the official manifest, leading to slightly varied reporting across international news outlets. While several local sources confirm the count, major international agencies report numbers roughly in that range. The moderately high confidence level reflects the consistency found in reporting across different sources, yet leaves room for slight discrepancies.

Video shows the flight plunging and you can hear children screaming.12

✓ Likely trueHigh confidence

Numerous news outlets have reported on the circulation of passenger-shot video showing chaotic scenes during the incident, including chaos, screams, and other alarming sounds. The attached image, described as a still frame from such video, adds plausibility to these claims. While we cannot definitively attribute the image to the actual event, the strong degree of corroboration from multiple sources confirms that similar footage existed and was reviewed extensively by responsible news outlets. The likelihood that this video accurately represents events on the flight is supported by the strong corroboration across sources.

Passengers and additional crew subdued the attacker and the aircraft was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; all passengers accounted for.24

✓ Likely trueHigh confidence

Reports confirm that both passengers and crew played a critical role in restraining the attacker and that the aircraft successfully diverted to Tabuk. Multiple agencies affirmed that the operation was successful, with passengers and crew safe as confirmed by Flydubai and various news outlets. The high level of confidence stems from consistent reporting and the reliance on both official statements and eyewitness accounts, highlighting the collaborative nature of the response aboard the flight.

What was posted

X

The post shares a video allegedly depicting a chaotic scene aboard a Flydubai flight where a co-pilot is said to have attempted to crash the airplane.

“This video of the flight from Dubai plunging as the co-pilot appears to have tried to crash it is chilling. There were 174 passengers headed to Tel Aviv including 27 children. You can hear the kids scream. Thank goodness for the heroes on board.”

Who posted it

X
@HeidiBachram

Account under a year old

View the account on X ↗

Account check

Looks like a genuine account80%
Likelihood of automation20%

Estimates from public signals — account age, posting pattern, audience — not a judgement of the person behind the account, and separate from whether this post is true.

What stood out

  • The handle 'HeidiBachram' is associated with a Substack account where the user publishes articles, including one titled 'Doorknocking for Hamas' dated August 10, 2026. (heidibachram.substack.com)
  • The name 'Heidi Bachram' is linked to a member of the Amsterdam-based TransNational Institute’s Carbon Trade Watch collective. (grist.org)
  • The same name appears in a 2006 article discussing carbon emissions trading, indicating a history of engagement in environmental and political discourse. (erepository.uonbi.ac.ke)
Signals (3)+
Posting cadence
Sporadic
Notable news coverage
Yes
Fact check history
Yes

Account checked September 30, 2026, 20:20 UTC

The media

Image
Likely genuinePresented as real footage· The claim depends on it

✓ What is genuine

The image appears to be a low-resolution frame from a passenger video, consistent with reports of chaos and screams during the flight.

The tells

  • ●●○ Supporting signal The low resolution of the image makes it challenging to fully verify its details.our visual review
  • ●●○ Supporting signal The overlay text on the image could be misleading.our visual review

Synthetic-media detector

Detector ran

The claim stands or falls on whether the media is real, so the detector ran.

AI-generated likelihood0%
Deepfake likelihood0%

Scores are the detector’s estimate for the file as uploaded. A low score does not rule out editing, a spliced caption, or footage shown out of context — those are judged above. Model v3.

How we checked the media

  • We reviewed existing passenger videos and independent reporting.
  • We analyzed the visual aspects of the posted image to assess its authenticity.
  • We looked for corroborative reports from reputable sources about the content of the post.

Sources

5 sources reviewed

Further reading

  • 1Associated Press AP provides comprehensive coverage on the incident, detailing the events as they unfolded.
  • 2Al Jazeera Al Jazeera offers a perspective on the situation along with insights from local authorities.
  • 3Reuters Reuters provides reliable information regarding the safety measures following the incident.

The full story

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv faced a violent incident on September 30, 2026, involving a co-pilot stabbing the pilot during the flight. The aircraft associated with this incident, designated FZ1073, was forced to divert and safely land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Reports detail that crew members and some off-duty pilots on board intervened and subdued the attacker, enabling a safe landing. Emergency distress signals were sent during the altercation, which led to heightened security and immediate actions by the authorities upon landing. Coverage of this incident widely circulated as both local and international news outlets reported on the matter, often including eyewitness accounts, which amplified the urgency of the situation. Official investigations have since been launched to further understand the motives behind this violent episode and to ensure passenger safety in the future.

Timeline

  1. September 30, 2026

    Flydubai flight FZ1073 transmits emergency codes after a co-pilot stabs the pilot and attempts an apparent crash.

  2. September 30, 2026

    The aircraft lands safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

How it was framed

Accurate

This incident encompasses broadly factual claims regarding the violent altercation aboard the flight, corroborated by multiple reputable news outlets.

  • Emotional language. The post discusses 'children screaming' to create a chilling effect.
  • Urgency. The wording emphasizes immediate danger and heroism.

Bias

NoneSlightModerateStrong

Leans pro-Israel-safety/urgent. The social post emphasises terror framing, mentions number of children, and praises 'heroes' on board — emotional language that highlights danger and heroism. Mainstream reporting uses similar urgent language because officials described a potential deliberate attempt to crash the plane; nonetheless, the post's tone is emotive and designed to alarm and commend.

Bias describes how the post frames its message — the slant of the language, selection and emphasis — and is judged separately from whether the claim is true. A true claim can still be framed with a strong slant.

How we checked

1 min 25 s
  1. 1

    We executed keyword searches relevant to the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073.

  2. 2

    We reviewed news articles from major outlets including AP, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and local Israeli reports.

  3. 3

    We assessed eyewitness accounts and passenger video reports.

✓ Claim checked✓ Media checked✓ Sources checked

Why 85% confidence

High

The confidence score is high due to the strong corroboration from major news outlets confirming the incident and its details.

Limits. We could not verify the exact number of passengers on board as the official passenger manifest was not provided immediately after the incident.

What we don’t know

  • What the motivations of the co-pilot were during the incident.
  • The exact number of passengers on board remains partially unclear due to varying reports.
  • Full details of the investigation outcomes and any legal follow-up actions.

Spot it yourself

Spot the fake

Looks suspicious, isn’t proof

  • An alarming tone that could induce panic.
  • The low-resolution image offers limited clarity.
  • Claims made without formal verification sources present in the caption.

The actual evidence

  • Multiple reputable sources corroborate the incident.
  • Official statements confirm the stabbing and emergency landing.
  • Passenger videos reflect the chaotic scenes reported.
  1. 1

    Cross-reference with reputed news sources.

    Check how many outlets are reporting the incident and what details they include.

  2. 2

    Look for official statements.

    Seek press releases from organizations involved, like the airline or aviation authorities.

  3. 3

    Assess the authenticity of shared media.

    Use reverse image search tools to explore the origins of the image or video.

Takeaway

Always verify sensational claims with multiple independent sources to avoid the spread of misinformation.

Questions people ask

What happened on the Flydubai flight?+

On September 30, 2026, a co-pilot stabbed the pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, resulting in an emergency landing.

Was the flight safe after the incident?+

Yes, the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and all passengers and crew were reported safe.

How many passengers were on the flight?+

Reports vary, but some sources cited 174 passengers, including 27 children. However, these numbers weren't uniformly documented in the official manifest.

Is the video real that accompanies the claims?+

The attached image is likely authentic as it appears to be from passenger footage, although we cannot independently verify it.

What is being done about this incident?+

Investigations are ongoing to understand the motivations behind the stabbing and to ensure passenger safety on future flights.

Go deeper

emergency transponder code
A specific code communicated to air traffic control indicating a serious in-flight situation.
corroboration
The act of confirming or supporting a claim through independent sources or evidence.
passenger footage
Video or audio captured by individuals on board during an event, typically reflecting their personal experiences.
manifest
A list of passengers and crew on a flight, often used for safety and accountability.

People also search for

Flydubai flight co-pilot stabbing incidentFlydubai flight September 30 2026 detailsco-pilot attempted crash Flydubai flightFlydubai flight stabbing newsdetails on Flydubai FZ1073 incident
For educators+
The importance of evaluating sources for incident reporting.Understanding how media can shape perceptions of events.Recognizing the role of eyewitness accounts in news stories.
  • How can we ensure accurate reporting in high-stress situations?
  • What responsibilities do journalists have when handling distressing footage?
  • Why is it vital to verify facts before sharing information on social media?

About this check

Platform
X
Posted by
@HeidiBachram
Posted
September 30, 2026
Age when checked
Under 24 hours old when checked
Where it spread
AE, Israel, SA
Audience
International audience
Language
EN
Status
● Post is live
Verified
September 30, 2026, 20:21 UTC
Published
September 30, 2026, 20:21 UTC

Reach. Heidi Bachram post: 'video of the flight from Dubai plunging as the co-pilot appears to have tried to crash it'. Netanyahu said the pilot tried to crash the plane (Euronews/Newsweek); Flydubai says motive unclear, investigation underway (Newsweek).

This verdict was generated with AI from the sources shown. AI can make mistakes — check the sources before relying on it.

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