Screams heard as Flydubai plane plunges 15,000 feet amid cockpit fight; passengers cheer after pilot regains control
Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying around 180 people, was diverted to Tabuk airport on Wednesday after transmitting emergency signals that briefly raised fears of a hijacking. Preliminary reports in Israeli media suggested that one pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft by forcing it into a steep descent from around 30,000 feet. The aircraft reportedly lost more than 17,000 feet in under 30 seconds during the incident. Fluctuating between about -30,000 and +10,000 feet per minute. The aircraft briefly climbed to around 21,650 feet before descending below 14,000 feet and later stabilising at around 15,000 feet for an extended period.
However, the exact circumstances of the descent and the reported cockpit confrontation remain under investigation. A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an alleged violent altercation between two pilots inside the cockpit triggered a mid-air emergency, with videos purportedly capturing passengers screaming as the aircraft rapidly descended. Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as they struggled to establish contact with the aircraft. The other pilot reportedly intervened, leading to a physical struggle inside the cockpit. Videos shared on social media purportedly show passengers screaming as the aircraft undergoes a sudden descent. In another clip, passengers appear to cheer after the situation aboard the aircraft seemingly comes under control. The footage has emerged amid reports of a violent confrontation between the pilots. However, the precise sequence of events captured in the videos could not be independently established.
The aircraft first transmitted squawk 7700, the international code for a general emergency, before switching to 7500, which indicates hijacking or unlawful interference. Flight-tracking data reportedly showed unusual altitude fluctuations before the aircraft stabilised at around 15,000 feet. The plane was also reported to have briefly climbed to around 21,650 feet before descending below 14,000 feet. The aircraft eventually diverted to Tabuk Regional Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely at around 6:45 UTC.
These accounts have not been independently confirmed. Note: The reported stabbing, attempted suicide and precise sequence of events inside the cockpit remain unverified.
Passengers heard shouting near the cockpit during the incident, according to Israeli media reports. Some reportedly claimed that one of the pilots had been stabbed, while others said passengers helped crew members restrain the attacker. Netanyahu’s office later said the situation was under control and that all necessary measures were being taken to return Israeli passengers safely to Israel. Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ1073 had experienced an “incident” and landed safely in Tabuk. The airline said all passengers were “safe and accounted for” and that it was working with the relevant authorities.
The signals prompted an emergency security response in Israel, with fighter jets scrambled towards the aircraft amid concerns that it could have been hijacked. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior military officials also held urgent consultations as authorities attempted to establish contact with the aircraft. Saudi security forces reportedly surrounded the aircraft following its arrival. Israeli authorities later determined that the incident was not a hijacking, although the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation remain under investigation. These should be attributed to Israeli media reports rather than presented as established facts. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.