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A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation between the two pilots triggered a series of emergency signals and raised fears of a possible hijacking.
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 100 Israeli passengers when it initially transmitted the 7700 emergency code, followed by the 7500 code indicating possible unlawful interference or hijacking. The aircraft later returned to the 7700 code before diverting to Saudi Arabia.
The incident prompted Israel to prepare fighter jets and temporarily restrict its airspace amid concerns that the aircraft might have been hijacked. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also held security consultations with defence officials.
Israeli officials and security sources later said the incident was not a hijacking. Instead, preliminary information indicated that a physical altercation had broken out between the two pilots in the cockpit.
Investigators are reportedly examining an allegation that one of the pilots may have attempted to crash the aircraft, while the other pilot intervened. Reports have also alleged that a knife was involved in the confrontation. These claims have not been independently confirmed.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft losing several thousand metres of altitude within a short period during the incident.
The aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk airport. Flydubai confirmed that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
The airline is preparing to send another aircraft to Saudi Arabia to take the passengers back to Tel Aviv. The crew are expected to be questioned and the aircraft examined as part of the investigation.
