Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after emergency codes were activated, Israeli official cites pilots’ altercation
A Flydubai aircraft, after flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk following emergency signals. (Image courtesy: x/@MarioNawfal)
New Delhi: Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to northwestern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after transmitting emergency signals that initially raised fears of unlawful interference aboard the aircraft. The Boeing 737 landed safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. with the airline saying all passengers were safe and accounted for.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft first transmitting squawk code 7700, used for a general emergency, before switching several minutes later to 7500, which signals possible unlawful interference or hijacking. The aircraft later transmitted 7700 again before landing safely in Tabuk.
Israeli air force fighter jets were scrambled towards the aircraft after the 7500 signal was detected, the Times of Israel reported citing security sources. The prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations as the incident unfolded, while the chief of the general staff, of the Israel defense forces (IDF), Eyal Zamir conducted an assessment with senior officers.
The Israeli prime minister’s office subsequently said the incident was not believed to have been a hijacking and described the situation as under control. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that the emergency signals followed a physical altercation between the two pilots.
Times of India, citing Israeli media, reported unconfirmed allegations that one pilot attempted to force the aircraft into a dangerous descent before being stopped by the other pilot, with passengers reportedly helping during the struggle. Channel 14, as cited by Times of India, reported that one of the pilots may have attempted suicide and allegedly sent the aircraft into a rapid descent from around 30,000 feet to 15,000 feet before the second pilot intervened.
Neither allegation has been confirmed by Flydubai, Saudi authorities or the Israeli prime minister’s office.
Flight tracking data separately showed unusual altitude changes during the incident. Those movements do not, by themselves, establish what caused the descent or whether either pilot acted deliberately.
The mother of a passenger told Reuters that her daughter had described hearing screams and seeing a man holding a knife force one of the pilots to the floor, with blood visible inside the aircraft. Israeli media separately circulated reports and images suggesting a violent struggle,but those details remain unverified by the airline or authorities.
Flydubai said FZ1073 had experienced an “incident” while travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport and confirmed that it landed safely in Tabuk. The airline said it was working with the relevant authorities and would issue further information as confirmed details became available.
Netanyahu’s office said efforts were underway to return the Israeli passengers home. Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic relations, adding an unusual dimension to arrangements following the diversion.
The precise cause of the pilots’ altercation, who entered the emergency codes and what caused the aircraft’s unusual altitude changes remain unresolved pending further investigation.
