Flydubai Jet Diverts to Saudi Arabia After Pilot Brawl, Distress Calls
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia due to pilot altercation.
- Plane carried approximately 180 Israelis who are now safe.
- Emergency codes 7700 and 7500 were activated mid-flight.
- Israeli security officials held urgent consultations on the incident.
- Airline dispatched a special plane to repatriate passengers.
A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft en route from the UAE to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv activated emergency code 7700 over Jordan on Wednesday, signaling a general emergency. Shortly after, the crew declared code 7500, which indicates a hijacking. The plane, carrying approximately 180 Israelis, was diverted to land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli Air Force jets were scrambled in response to the incident.
Initial reports suggest the diversion was caused by a violent altercation in the cockpit and cabin, possibly between the pilots. Some sources claim one pilot attempted to crash the plane while the other tried to intervene, leading to a struggle. There are also unconfirmed reports of a stabbing incident between the pilots.
Israeli security officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and Defense Minister Israel Katz, held an urgent security consultation. The Israeli police are preparing for all scenarios, and there are growing assessments in Israel that the incident may have security implications.
Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ 1073 experienced an "incident during the flight" and landed safely in Tabuk, with all passengers and crew safe. The airline stated that passenger and crew safety is their top priority and they are working with relevant authorities. The company dispatched a special aircraft to Saudi Arabia to bring the passengers back to Israel.
Flight data from Flightradar24 shows the aircraft deviating from its planned route shortly after takeoff and descending to approximately 15,000 feet before heading towards Saudi airspace and transmitting distress signals.
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