Flydubai Flight Transmitted Hijack Code Amid Reported Pilot Brawl
At a glance
- A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after a mid-air incident.
- The aircraft reportedly transmitted both general emergency (7700) and hijacking (7500) codes.
- Israeli officials have attributed the incident to a fight between the pilots in the cockpit.
Story so far
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with over 170 passengers on board. Conflicting initial reports emerged, with an Israeli official citing a fight between pilots, while a passenger's relative claimed a knife attack had occurred. The Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed the incident was not a hijacking.
Latest development
The diverted Flydubai flight reportedly transmitted a hijacking code (7500) for a short time before switching to a general emergency code (7700). Israeli officials maintain the incident was caused by a fight between the pilots.
Latest updates
Further details have emerged regarding the Flydubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia, with reports indicating the aircraft transmitted both a general emergency code (7700) and, for a short period, a hijacking code (7500).
Israeli media and officials continue to suggest the emergency was triggered by a physical altercation between the pilots in the cockpit. Some reports also mentioned that the plane was escorted by military aircraft before it landed safely in Tabuk.
A Flydubai spokesperson confirmed the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced an "incident" and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, stating all passengers were safe but providing no further details.
However, a conflicting account has emerged from a passenger's relative. Yasmin Abu Kasis, whose daughter was on the flight, told reporters her daughter said she heard screaming and that a man with a knife attacked a pilot, resulting in "blood everywhere." This account contradicts initial reports from an Israeli official that a physical altercation between the two pilots had caused the diversion.
The claim of a knife attack has not yet been officially confirmed.
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دبئی سے اسرائیل جانیوالی پرواز میں پائلٹ لڑ پڑے، طیارے کی سعودی عرب میں ہنگامی لینڈنگ
دبئی سے اسرائیل جانے والے پرواز میں پائلٹ لڑپڑے جس کے بعد طیارے نے سعودی عرب میں ہنگامی لینڈنگ کی۔
Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots: Israeli official
A flight bound for Israel from Dubai diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals due to a fight between the pilots rather than a hijacking, an Israeli official said on Wednesday. Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai diverted over Jorda
Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
A flight bound for Israel from Dubai diverted to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals due to a fight between the pilots rather than a hijacking, an Israeli official said on Wednesday. Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai diverted over Jorda
The conflicting reports are quite concerning. It is probably best to wait for the official investigation by aviation authorities before drawing any conclusions.
What a frightening experience for the passengers. It’s reassuring that aviation safety protocols are robust enough to handle such an unexpected internal crisis and ensure a safe landing, even if it meant a major diversion.
Agreed. I hope a clear and official explanation is provided soon by the airline and regulators. Transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust in air travel after an incident like this.