Flydubai Pilot Attempted Suicide, Crashed Plane With Help From Passengers

An incident aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, which transmitted hijacking codes and landed in Saudi Arabia, is being investigated with the leading theory pointing to a suicide attempt by one of the pilots. The other pilot, reportedly with the assistance of Israeli passengers, managed to subdue the suicidal pilot and prevent a crash. Flight tracking data showed the aircraft plummeting from an altitude of approximately 10,400 meters to 4,300 meters, with a vertical descent rate of about 9,441 meters per minute. Unconfirmed reports suggest an additional flight crew traveling as passengers helped stabilize the aircraft after a struggle in the cockpit. One pilot sustained a knife wound, believed to be the one who initiated the attempt. Photos circulating on social media show passengers with bloodstains, indicating their involvement in restraining the pilot. The flight, originating from Dubai on September 30, entered distress after entering Jordanian airspace, transmitting emergency code 7700 and then hijacking code 7500 before losing contact. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled, but the plane diverted to Saudi Arabia, landing at Prince Sultan International Airport in Tabuk. The aircraft carried 174 passengers, including 27 children. The potential hijacking alert prompted an emergency security meeting in Israel involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Flydubai confirmed the incident stemmed from a fight between the pilots, launched an investigation, and dispatched a replacement aircraft to transport passengers to Israel. El Al Airlines also offered assistance.