A Flydubai passenger plane, flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, was forced to divert for an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a dispute between pilots caused a rapid loss of altitude. An emergency signal briefly raised concerns of a hijacking, but Israeli authorities confirmed it was not a hijacking and that all passengers and crew were safe.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport in the early morning hours of 30 Sep 2023 GMT+7, bound for Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, before diverting to Tabuk Airport in northwest Saudi Arabia following an abnormal incident onboard.
Flight tracking website Flightradar24 reported the aircraft initially sent a general emergency code 7700 during flight, then switched to code 7500, which signals unlawful interference or a possible hijacking, causing safety concerns. The code later reverted back to the general emergency code.
Israeli officials stated the incident was not a hijacking but stemmed from a dispute between two pilots in the cockpit. Reports indicate the argument escalated to physical violence, though the cause of the conflict remains under investigation.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying about 150 passengers, mostly Israeli. Following the incident, the plane rapidly descended from approximately 34,000 feet to around 16,600 feet within two minutes while slowing considerably, before safely landing at Tabuk.
The event prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets amid fears of a hijacking. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu consulted security officials on the situation. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office later confirmed the situation was under control and the government was taking measures to repatriate Israeli passengers.
Flydubai confirmed the aircraft experienced an abnormal event en route from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport and landed safely at Tabuk Airport. The airline assured all passengers were safe and accounted for, and is closely coordinating with authorities, promising to release further verified details.
Some passengers told Israeli media they heard shouting near the front of the plane and noticed a sudden sharp descent before landing in Saudi Arabia. After landing, Saudi security personnel secured the aircraft perimeter while passengers initially remained onboard.
Flight FZ1073 operates between Dubai and Tel Aviv, a route established after the normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel in 2020. This incident occurred amid regional security tensions and prompted a thorough investigation into the onboard event.
Pilot altercations during flights are rare but not unprecedented. For example, in 2022, two Air France pilots were suspended after fighting in the cockpit during a flight from Geneva to Paris, although the plane completed its journey safely.