Dubai-Tel Aviv flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit fight triggers hijacking alert

A Flydubai passenger flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv has made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a violent altercation between its pilots triggered an international hijacking alert.

Flight FZ1073 was travelling to Israel on Wednesday, September 30, when it transmitted emergency transponder codes, including 7500, the internationally recognised code for unlawful interference or a possible hijacking. The aircraft subsequently diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. All passengers have been reported safe. 

Initial reports prompted fears that the aircraft had been hijacked. Israeli authorities activated a major security response, including scrambling fighter aircraft and holding high-level security consultations. Officials later said the incident was not considered a conventional hijacking. 

Pilots reportedly fought inside cockpit

Reuters reports, citing an Israeli official, that the emergency was triggered after the pilots became involved in a physical altercation during the flight. The aircraft descended approximately 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds during the incident before eventually landing safely. 

Several reports identify the pilots as being of Russian and Ukrainian origin, although those details have not yet been independently confirmed by Flydubai. 

Passenger accounts have also described screams and blood during the disturbance. Reuters reports that one account described a man with a knife forcing one of the pilots to the floor. 

Flydubai has so far confirmed only that there was an “incident” aboard FZ1073 and that the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk. The airline said it was working with the relevant authorities and that further information would be released once details were confirmed. 

Claims of deliberate crash attempt remain unconfirmed

Reports that one of the pilots deliberately attempted to crash the aircraft in an act of mass suicide are currently allegations, not an established finding.

Some outlets are reporting that investigators are examining whether one pilot intentionally attempted to bring the aircraft down. However, neither Flydubai nor Saudi or Israeli authorities have publicly confirmed that motive at this stage. 

The distinction matters because the confirmed information so far establishes an emergency, a cockpit altercation, a 7500 unlawful-interference signal and an emergency diversion. It does not yet establish why the confrontation occurred or whether either pilot intended to crash the aircraft.

The aircraft and passengers remain in Saudi Arabia while authorities investigate the extraordinary incident.