Flydubai Jet Plunges 4,000 Meters Amid Pilot Struggle

A Flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv experienced a terrifying incident where the aircraft rapidly lost approximately 4,000 meters of altitude in just 40 seconds. The airline's safety system is investigating the dramatic events aboard flight FZ1073. Investigators suspect the co-pilot, identified as being from Oman, attempted to steer the plane towards the ground while the captain, from the UAE, fought to regain control. Several Israeli passengers reportedly assisted in subduing the assailant. The flight carried 174 passengers, including 27 children, and mounting evidence suggests the incident may have been a terrorist act.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Alon Pereg, a former Israeli Air Force fighter pilot and El Al captain, offered an expert analysis to N12 regarding the potential cockpit struggle, the disengagement of the autopilot, and the critical time the crew had to recover from the steep dive. He emphasized that his assessment is a professional evaluation based on available information and his experience with similar aircraft. Precise flight data and witness testimonies will be crucial for a definitive understanding of the circumstances.

Pereg explained that while a struggle between pilots might not typically disengage the autopilot, significant manipulation of the controls on this aircraft type could lead to its disconnection. He theorized that during the fight, one pilot may have grabbed or inadvertently moved the control yoke, causing the aircraft's nose to drop and initiating a dive. The rapid descent of 4,000 meters in 40 seconds was described as an "extremely extreme dive," inducing negative G-forces that could have momentarily disoriented the attacking pilot, allowing the other to intervene.

The recovery from such a dive is also perilous. While cabin pressure is maintained, the primary danger lies in exceeding the aircraft's structural limits due to high speeds during the dive or excessive positive G-forces during a rapid ascent. Pereg suggested that damage observed on the aircraft's tail after landing could be attributed to these high-speed maneuvers. He also noted that cockpit doors are heavily reinforced post-9/11, implying the captain likely used a button to open the door, allowing passengers to enter and assist.

Pereg also addressed the security lapse that allowed a pilot to potentially carry a weapon, noting significant variations in crew screening procedures between countries. He stated that in Israel, foreign crew members undergo the same security checks as regular passengers. While pilots undergo regular medical and simulator checks, there is no standardized, regular psychological evaluation for all pilots.