Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
Flydubai Flight Diverts to Saudi Arabia Following Cockpit Incident and Injured Pilots
Anonymous
Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying about 180 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30 after an incident in the cockpit. The aircraft transmitted emergency signals and reportedly plunged more than 17,000 feet; the captain and first officer were injured and taken to hospital, while passengers were reported safe. Flydubai said the crew secured the aircraft and diverted it safely, and the cause and motive remain under formal investigation. Israeli media reported that the pilots fought and that passengers and off-duty pilots helped regain control, with some accounts alleging a stabbing or attempted hijacking; these reports have not been independently verified, and Israeli officials said a hijacking was not believed to have occurred. Israel scrambled fighter jets amid the initial alarm, and replacement Flydubai aircraft were sent to Tabuk to assist passengers and crew, including Israeli passengers returning home.
Key Points
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Aviation reporting said the aircraft dropped about 17,400 feet in roughly two minutes and changed from a general-emergency signal to a transponder code indicating “unlawful interference.”
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Saudi airport operator Cluster2 said it received the flight’s distress call at about 8:44 a.m. local time and that the aircraft landed at 9:45 a.m.; it confirmed both pilots were injured and transferred to hospital.
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A passenger told i24 News that passengers heard screams before the cockpit was opened, where she said there was blood; her account of the events was not independently verified.
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Israeli media reported that many passengers refused to board a Flydubai flight out of Tabuk, prompting arrangements to return Israeli passengers to Tel Aviv.
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