Screams, blood, sudden dive & emergency code: Inside Flydubai flight that sent Israel's jets into the air
PTC Web Desk: A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an incident involving the pilots raised fears of a possible hijacking.
Flight FDB1073, carrying around 180 passengers, landed safely at Tabuk, where the aircraft was surrounded by Saudi security personnel.
Initial reports suggested a possible hijacking after the aircraft briefly transmitted an emergency code. Authorities later indicated that the diversion followed a violent confrontation between the two pilots inside the cockpit.
Passengers describe panic on board
Passengers told Israeli media that they heard shouting from the front section of the Boeing 737 MAX during the flight.
Some passengers reported that the aircraft suddenly descended, causing panic inside the cabin.
One passenger told The Times of Israel that passengers heard screams before the plane made a sharp descent. Another claimed that one pilot had attacked the other with a knife.
A passenger identified as Miriam told Israeli television that there was blood inside the cockpit when the door was opened. She said passengers and crew members intervened and helped bring the confrontation under control.
Flight makes sudden descent
Flight-tracking data showed an unusual change in the aircraft's flight path.
According to FlightRadar24 data cited in reports, the aircraft was flying at around 33,000 feet when it rapidly descended to approximately 17,000 feet within a minute. It then made an unusual turn near the Jordan-Saudi border before heading towards Tabuk.
The aircraft also transmitted squawk 7700, the internationally recognised emergency code used to indicate a serious emergency.
Reports also said that the aircraft briefly transmitted code 7500, which is associated with unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. The circumstances surrounding the use of the codes remain under investigation.
Israel scrambled fighter jets
The incident initially triggered a serious security response in Israel because the aircraft was carrying Israeli passengers and was heading towards Ben Gurion Airport.
Israeli authorities confirmed that fighter aircraft were scrambled after concerns were raised about a possible hijacking.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office later said the situation was under control and that efforts were underway to arrange the passengers' return to Israel.
Some Israeli officials described the incident as a potentially serious security situation, although reports of an attempted hijacking or an attempt to deliberately crash the aircraft have not been independently confirmed.
Plane lands safely in Tabuk
The aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk, a Saudi location that serves both civilian and military purposes. Passengers remained on board while Saudi security personnel secured the aircraft and the situation was assessed.
The exact cause of the confrontation between the pilots has not yet been established.
What Flydubai said
Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ1073, travelling to Ben Gurion, experienced an incident during the journey and landed safely in Tabuk.
The airline said its teams were working with the relevant authorities and that further information would be released once confirmed details became available.
Flydubai is the low-cost sister airline of Emirates and operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet.
- PTC NEWS
