A passenger flight from Dubai to Israel was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia after an alleged altercation between the pilots triggered emergency signals and sent the aircraft plunging thousands of feet.
The Flydubai flight, carrying around 150 passengers, dropped from roughly 34,000 feet to 14,000 feet, according to data from Flightradar24. The descent happened over approximately two minutes.
The Boeing 737 Max 8 was traveling from Dubai toward Israel when the incident unfolded.
Alleged stabbing inside the cockpit
According to the BBC, passengers reported that one of the pilots had been stabbed inside the cockpit. CNN, meanwhile, reported that both the pilot and co-pilot were injured and taken to a hospital after the alleged confrontation.
An Israeli official told Reuters that the pilots had activated an emergency signal after getting into a “physical altercation” with each other.
Flydubai confirmed that Flight FZ1073 initially transmitted a general emergency signal before sending another alert associated with a hijacking. The aircraft later returned to the general emergency signal as it changed course over Jordan.
The plane eventually landed safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where all passengers were reported safe and accounted for, according to LADbible.
Cluster2 Airports Company confirmed that the aircraft arrived at 09:45 local time and that both members of the cockpit crew had been injured.
“The flight landed safely at 09:45 local time, where it was found that the captain and first officer sustained injuries, and were immediately transferred to hospital to receive the necessary medical care.
“Passengers were provided with the necessary assistance at the terminal, while coordination is underway with flydubai to arrange a replacement aircraft.”
Still unclear what caused the altercation
The passengers were left in Saudi Arabia while officials worked on arrangements to get them to their intended destination.
Israeli officials said the incident could have been far more serious, with one official saying that “the most severe disaster was prevented.” Authorities were also working on alternative travel arrangements for the passengers.
One passenger, Miriam Abu Kasis, was aboard the aircraft during the incident. Her mother, Yasmin, told Reuters that her daughter heard screaming before seeing a man with a knife force one of the pilots to the floor.
Flydubai said it was cooperating with authorities while more information was being established.
“Our teams are working closely with the relevant authorities. Further updates will be issued as additional confirmed details become available.”
The Israeli prime minister’s office later said the situation was “under control” and that efforts were focused on finding a way for the passengers to continue their journey.
The incident also prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets in response to the emergency transmission from the aircraft.
Officials are still considering what caused the confrontation. The Times of Israel reported that some Israeli officials were concerned the incident could have been an attempted terror attack, although other possibilities were also being considered, including the possibility that one of the pilots experienced a mental health episode.
The flight’s emergency appears to have ended without further danger after the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia.
Read more:
