A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 30, after an in-flight incident triggered emergency transponder signals. Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all passengers reported safe.
Flydubai Flight Sends Emergency and Hijack Codes
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft initially transmitted squawk code 7700, which indicates a general emergency, before briefly switching to 7500, the code used for unlawful interference.
Israeli media reported that Israeli Air Force aircraft were scrambled after the signals were received. The plane later flew over Jordan before being diverted to Saudi Arabia. About 180 passengers were reportedly aboard.
Initial reports suggested a possible hijacking, but Israeli assessments later indicated that the incident was not a hijacking.
Pilot Altercation Under Investigation
According to reports cited by CNN and Israeli Channel 12, authorities are investigating a violent altercation between the two pilots. Reports said the dispute escalated during the flight and may have involved a pocketknife.
Passengers reportedly described seeing blood and said Israeli passengers and the co-pilot helped bring the situation under control. Authorities are also investigating whether one pilot may have attempted to crash the aircraft.
Flight-tracking data reviewed by CNN showed the aircraft descending from about 34,000 feet to approximately 16,600 feet in roughly two minutes. Other flight-tracking data cited by Israeli media indicated a sharp descent of about 15,000 feet in one minute.
Plane Lands Safely in Tabuk
Flydubai confirmed that FZ1073 experienced an in-flight incident and diverted to Tabuk, where it landed safely. The airline said all passengers were safe and their identities had been confirmed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations after concerns over the aviation incident. The Prime Minister’s Office said the situation was under control and that measures were being taken to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel.
The Israeli military also said its Chief of Staff held a situational assessment with the Israeli Air Force commander, the head of the Operations Directorate, the head of Military Intelligence and other commanders.
Another aircraft is expected to travel from Dubai to Saudi Arabia to collect the passengers and continue the journey to Israel.
Q1. Why was the Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia?
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk after an in-flight incident involving the aircraft.
Q2. What happened to Flydubai flight FZ1073?
The flight transmitted emergency code 7700 and briefly code 7500 before being diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Q3. Was the Flydubai flight hijacked?
Israeli assessments said the incident was not a hijacking, although the aircraft briefly transmitted the 7500 unlawful-interference code.
Q4. How many passengers were on the Flydubai flight?
About 180 passengers were reportedly aboard the aircraft.
Q5. Where did the Flydubai aircraft land?
The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Updated Details on Flydubai Flight
Early Wednesday, a Dubai-origin flight bound for Ben Gurion Airport turned back and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the pilots transmitted an emergency code indicating a possible hijacking. About 100 Israeli passengers were aboard. Israeli security services said they had ruled out a security incident and that the emergency signal was triggered by a physical altercation between the two pilots. Two pilots were taken by Saudi authorities for investigation, with preliminary reports identifying one as Russian/Russian-origin and the other as Ukrainian/Ukrainian-origin. The aircraft is expected to depart Tabuk and return the passengers to Ben Gurion. Israel‘s Transport Ministry said Ben Gurion Airport is operating normally, while the Israel Airports Authority confirmed that Israeli airspace remains open.
