A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent incident involving the pilots triggered emergency signals and a brief hijacking scare.
Flight FZ1073, operating a Boeing 737 MAX, landed safely at Tabuk Airport after transmitting two emergency transponder codes during the flight. Flydubai confirmed that an incident had occurred and said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
Israeli security officials later said the incident was not a hijacking, although the circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain under investigation.
What happened inside the cockpit?
Reports from Israeli media said a physical altercation broke out between the two pilots while the aircraft was airborne.
The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli officials, reported that the confrontation involved a stabbing and that one pilot allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft. Israeli media reports have identified the pilots as an Emirati captain and an Omani co-pilot, although details concerning their identities and the sequence of events have varied between reports.
Passengers described hearing screams before seeing blood in the cockpit. One passenger told Israel’s Channel 12 that passengers saw a pilot who had apparently been stabbed with a pocketknife. Other passengers reportedly helped restrain the attacker and assist the other pilot.
The stabbing allegation has not been independently confirmed in full, and investigators are still establishing exactly what happened.
The aircraft’s sudden descent
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft undergoing a dramatic loss of altitude during the incident.
According to reports based on the flight data, the Boeing 737 MAX descended rapidly before recovering and later remaining at a lower altitude as it diverted towards Saudi Arabia. Reuters reported that the aircraft lost almost 14,000 feet in around 30 seconds before stabilising.
Passengers described the descent as terrifying, with some fearing the aircraft was about to crash.
One passenger told Israeli media that the aircraft suddenly plunged while screams could be heard inside the cabin. Another described seeing blood after the cockpit door was opened.
Why was a hijacking alert triggered?
The aircraft initially transmitted squawk code 7700, the internationally recognised transponder code for a general emergency.
It later transmitted 7500, the code used to indicate unlawful interference or a suspected hijacking. The signal prompted Israeli authorities to treat the situation as a potential security threat.
Israeli fighter jets were reportedly scrambled as authorities attempted to establish what was happening aboard the aircraft. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz also held an urgent security consultation.
The aircraft subsequently returned to an emergency signal and diverted towards Saudi Arabia.
Safe landing in Saudi Arabia
The flight ultimately landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai said the aircraft arrived safely and that all passengers were accounted for. The airline said it was working with the relevant authorities and would provide further information as confirmed details became available.
Reports have placed the number of people aboard at more than 150, with figures varying between outlets.
The incident initially triggered fears of a hijacking or terrorist attack, but Israeli security officials later said a hijacking had been ruled out. Authorities are continuing to investigate the cockpit confrontation, the reported stabbing and the circumstances that led to the aircraft’s emergency descent and diversion.
