flydubai flight makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after attack on pilot

A flydubai aircraft operating a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on September 30 following a serious incident in the cockpit. One of the pilots suffered stab wounds, and Israeli authorities are investigating the possibility of an attempt to deliberately crash the plane.

The flight involved was FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport. Approximately 170 passengers were on board.

flydubai itself confirmed that a conflict occurred in the cockpit. Airline staff on board were able to bring the situation under control, after which the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

“The aircraft was successfully brought under control by the flydubai crew on board, who diverted the flight and landed safely at Tabuk Airport,” the carrier said in a statement. The company emphasized that all passengers and crew were accounted for and were safe.

According to Tabuk Airport authorities, the distress signal from the aircraft was received at 08:44 local time. The plane landed successfully at 09:45. The captain and first officer were taken to hospital after landing.

As reported by Associated Press, approximately two and a half hours after takeoff, the aircraft sharply descended from about 33,000 to 17,000 feet in less than a minute. The incident raised fears that a hijacking attempt might have been underway on board.

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu stated that one of the pilots stabbed the other and allegedly tried to crash the plane. According to him, a passenger and a crew member were able to intervene in the cockpit and help stop the attacker.

This version has not yet been established as the final cause of the incident. Flydubai publicly confirmed the cockpit conflict, but did not disclose why it occurred or what actions the alleged attacker took. The motive has also not been officially determined.

Israeli military initially scrambled fighter jets due to fears of a possible hijacking of the aircraft. During the flight, the crew also transmitted emergency signals, one of which is used in international aviation for unlawful interference with aircraft control.

After landing, Saudi authorities began an investigation. According to The Guardian, the circumstances of the incident and the possible motive of one of the pilots are still being clarified.

Flydubai sent a replacement aircraft to transport passengers from Saudi Arabia. They later arrived in Israel.