Flydubai Flight Scare: Passengers Recall Screams, Blood After Reported Cockpit Fight
In Short
People on the ground reported screams, panic, and an injured pilot following a reported fight in the cockpit aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which diverted the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight to Saudi Arabia.
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Flydubai Flight Scare: Passengers Recall Screams, Blood After Reported Cockpit Fight
The passengers of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv have recounted scenes of panic after reports of a confrontation between the aircrew resulted in emergency signals being sent and the plane being diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737, was flying towards Israel when it transmitted emergency codes while crossing Jordanian airspace. The aircraft subsequently changed course and landed safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
While initial reports raised concerns about a possible hijacking, Israeli authorities later said the incident was not a hijacking. Reports indicated that the emergency situation was linked to an altercation involving the flight crew.
Passengers Describe Screams And Injured Pilot
Passengers described chaotic scenes inside the aircraft as the incident unfolded.
According to a report cited by Israeli media, one passenger said people heard screams coming from the cockpit. When the cockpit door was opened, passengers reportedly saw blood and an injured pilot.
Another passenger, identified as Noam, described the aircraft beginning to descend rapidly after the confrontation.
She reportedly said passengers realised that something serious had happened and began screaming after learning that one of the pilots had allegedly been stabbed and seriously injured.
The accounts, including claims about a pocketknife and passengers helping restrain an attacker, have not been independently verified.
Flight Sends Emergency Signals
According to flight-tracking information, FZ1073 broadcasted the international 7700 emergency code – signifying a general emergency.
The plane soon after reportedly called out the code 7500, which indicates “unlawful interference” and is typically linked to a potential hijacking.
The alert led to a security response and efforts were made to determine what was occurring on board the plane.
This plane then turned its course to Saudi Arabia, instead of Tel Aviv.
Aircraft Makes Rapid Descent
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft experiencing a dramatic loss of altitude shortly before the emergency signals were transmitted.
According to Flightradar24 data cited in reports, the aircraft descended by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
The rapid descent added to the alarm among passengers and authorities before the aircraft stabilised and continued towards Tabuk.
The Boeing 737 eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Hijacking Fears Later Dismissed
The transmission of the 7500 code initially raised fears that the flight had been hijacked.
Later, however, an Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office spokesman denied the hijacking theory.
Later, Israeli media reported that the emergency signal was triggered by a confrontation between the two pilots.
All of the circumstances of the confrontation have not been made public, and the exact nature of what happened in the cockpit has yet to be determined.
Passengers Recall Moments Of Fear
Passengers said the sudden descent and sounds coming from the cockpit created intense fear inside the cabin.
One passenger reportedly said people prayed and feared they might not survive the incident.
They all landed in Tabuk without any incidents were reported and the emergency was over.
The incident is now being investigated to determine what occurred in the cockpit and why the emergency codes were sent and what caused the aircraft to take such a sharp turn and drop so fast.
While the reports of a fight between the pilots are the main reason for the weird sequence, there are some aspects of the fight that remain unverifiable at this time.
