Flydubai Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia After Pilot Attack
A Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, following a violent altercation between two pilots in the cockpit. The Boeing 737, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children and many Israelis, landed safely. The incident began at 34,000 feet when the aircraft rapidly descended about 17,000 feet over northwestern Saudi Arabia, experiencing altitude and speed fluctuations.
The plane's transponder initially transmitted an emergency code (7700), then briefly showed code 7500, indicating hijacking or unlawful interference, before returning to 7700. The transmission of code 7500 triggered a military response from Israel, with fighter jets scrambled and Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Defense Minister holding consultations.
Passenger accounts published in Israeli media described shouting from the cockpit, a breached cockpit door, and visible blood. One pilot was reportedly stabbed with a knife. Crew members and passengers, including Israelis, helped subdue one of the pilots, suspected of planning a suicide attack to crash the plane with all aboard. Unofficial reports suggest the pilot who attempted the crash was an Omani citizen, while the pilot who prevented it was from the UAE.
Arrangements are being made with Saudi authorities to allow an Israeli aircraft to land in Saudi Arabia to repatriate the Israeli passengers.
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