Flydubai Plane Diverted to Saudi Arabia Amid Suspected Pilot Struggle

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30th after the aircraft transmitted emergency codes indicating distress and a possible hijacking. The flight, FZ1073, departed Dubai at 7:05 AM and was scheduled to land at Ben Gurion Airport around 9:30 AM. Approximately an hour and a half into the flight, as it entered Jordanian airspace, the plane transmitted code 7700 (general emergency) and then code 7500 (hijacking).

The aircraft then turned back towards Saudi Arabian airspace, descending rapidly from around 34,000 feet to 14,000 feet in a short period, with one reading showing a descent rate of nearly 31,000 feet per minute. Flydubai confirmed that the flight was involved in an incident 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 cooperating with relevant authorities.

Reports suggest the incident stemmed from a physical altercation between the captain and the co-pilot. During the struggle, the plane lost altitude rapidly. Some passengers reportedly intervened, attempting to assist the attacked pilot and even breaching the cockpit to subdue the assailant pilot, who was allegedly armed with a knife.

Israeli aviation authorities are demanding an investigation into the incident and the decision to land in Saudi Arabia. Flydubai is the sole airline operating flights between the UAE and Israel, following Israeli security directives that prevent Israeli carriers from flying to the Emirates. This unusual event, involving foreign crew members, is expected to prompt a review of existing flight regulations. While operations at Ben Gurion Airport have returned to normal, Flydubai flights are now being directed to a remote area for thorough checks of aircraft and crews to rule out further involvement by pilots.