Flydubai Pilot Stabbed, Plane Diverted Amid Hijacking Fears

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after its pilot was stabbed and transmitted a distress signal. The aircraft, flight FZ1073, was en route to Ben Gurion Airport when it turned back over Jordan, eventually landing in the city of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Initially, the airline stated the distress signal was activated due to a fight between the pilots. However, an Israeli source revealed that the co-pilot, an Omani national, is suspected of attempting to hijack the plane and crash it. The main pilot, an Emirati national, is credited with preventing the hijacking. During the incident, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft reportedly plunged 14,000 feet in one minute. The plane initially broadcasted an emergency code 7700, indicating a general emergency. Some tracking systems later showed a code 7500, signifying unlawful interference, though this remains unconfirmed by official sources. The Israeli Air Force is requesting Saudi Arabia's permission to evacuate the Israeli passengers on the flight using three Hercules aircraft. The BBC reported the stabbing incident without initially mentioning the hijacking suspicion.