A Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after one pilot allegedly stabbed another in the cockpit and apparently tried to crash the aircraft, according to Israeli officials.
Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Ben Gurion Airport, landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk on Wednesday after a violent struggle broke out during the journey.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a pilot had stabbed another pilot and appeared to have attempted to bring down the plane, which was carrying mostly Israeli passengers. The incident is being investigated as a possible terror attack.
The aircraft issued a distress call after making a rapid descent from about 33,000ft to 17,000ft. Flight-tracking data indicated that its transponder code was later changed to 7500, the international signal for unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.
Israeli officials said fighter jets were scrambled as authorities assessed the threat. The aircraft then continued towards Tabuk, where it landed at about 9.45am local time.
Passengers safe after cockpit struggle
The captain and first officer were injured and taken to hospital, according to the Saudi airport authorities. All passengers were reported safe and accounted for.
Accounts from passengers said there had been shouting and panic in the cabin before people realised there was a struggle in the cockpit. Some passengers reportedly helped restrain the suspected attacker while other pilots on board assisted in regaining control of the aircraft.
One passenger told Israeli media that people heard screams before the cockpit door was opened and blood was seen. Passengers feared the aircraft was about to crash as it suddenly lost altitude.
Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft had “experienced an incident while en route” and landed safely in Tabuk. The airline said it was working with the relevant authorities and that the safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew remained its highest priority.
The Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport said it had received an emergency landing request from the flight and that passengers were being assisted at the terminal.
Mr Netanyahu’s office said the situation was under control and that arrangements were being made to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel. A replacement aircraft was expected to take passengers onwards from Saudi Arabia.
The identity and motive of the pilot under investigation have not been officially disclosed. Israeli authorities have not released a full account of the alleged attack, and the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation remain under investigation.
