Tel Aviv (The COW News Digital)A Flydubai passenger flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent incident reportedly erupted inside the cockpit, triggering fears of a possible hijacking and forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Tabuk.
Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying around 180 passengers, was en route to Tel Aviv when the aircraft suddenly lost a significant amount of altitude. Flight-tracking data showed the plane dropping from approximately 34,000 feet to around 17,000 feet in a short period before further altitude fluctuations were recorded.
According to Israeli officials and passenger accounts, the incident involved the aircraft’s two pilots. Reports indicate that the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a knife before attempting to take control of the aircraft. Passengers and crew members reportedly rushed toward the cockpit after hearing screams and helped restrain the attacker.
The situation prompted the aircraft to transmit emergency signals, including the international 7700 emergency code and later the 7500 code associated with hijacking or unlawful interference. The aircraft subsequently changed course and headed toward Saudi Arabia rather than continuing toward Israel.
Israeli authorities responded to the emergency by activating security measures, with reports indicating that Israeli fighter jets were scrambled after concerns emerged over the aircraft’s safety. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also held emergency consultations with senior officials as authorities monitored the situation.
The aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. All passengers were reported safe, while both pilots were taken for medical treatment following the confrontation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the incident had been brought under control and that passengers and crew members had played an important role in preventing what could have become a major disaster. Saudi authorities reportedly detained the alleged attacker for questioning as investigations continued.
Initial reports varied over whether the incident should be described as a hijacking attempt, a confrontation between the pilots or a possible act of terrorism. Israeli authorities have been investigating multiple possibilities, and the motive behind the alleged attack has not been conclusively established.
Flydubai confirmed that Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport, experienced an incident during the flight and landed safely in Tabuk. The airline said it was cooperating with relevant authorities and that further updates would be provided as confirmed information became available.
The incident has raised fresh questions about aviation security and cockpit access, particularly because the aircraft was carrying a large number of passengers when the confrontation occurred. Investigators are expected to examine cockpit recordings, flight data, communications and the actions of both pilots to establish exactly what happened.
Authorities are also expected to determine whether the alleged stabbing and subsequent loss of control were part of a deliberate attempt to crash the aircraft or resulted from another cause. Until the investigation is completed, several details surrounding the incident remain subject to official verification.
The safe landing at Tabuk brought the immediate crisis to an end, while Saudi and Israeli authorities continue examining the circumstances surrounding the dramatic mid-air incident.
