A pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Israel reportedly tried to crash the plane, prompting passengers to rush the cockpit as the aircraft plunged 17,000ft in 29 seconds. The incident occurred at 3:05 GMT (7:05 local time) on flight FZ1073 from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv.
Pilot stabbed colleague, says Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one of the pilots “stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane”. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described it as an “attempted jihadist terror attack”.
The accused pilot is thought to be from Oman, while the colleague who was stabbed is from the UAE. The flight issued an emergency hijacking code, 7500, this morning, prompting Israeli fighter jets to be scrambled.
Passengers and off-duty pilots intervene
Passengers rushed the cockpit while two more pilots, who were on board as they were scheduled for a subsequent flight from Tel Aviv, helped land the plane. One of those pilots is thought to be British.
The plane had roughly 150 people on board. An Israeli passenger on the flight told The Jerusalem Post there were “terrible screams from children who didn’t want to die”.
Plane diverted to Tabuk, flights suspended
The plane eventually headed to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, and flights at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv were suspended. Netanyahu and Katz held an urgent security consultation following the incident.
Flydubai issued a statement saying: “The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for.”
The airline added that two replacement aircraft have been sent to Tabuk to “relieve” the passengers and crew involved. The incident has “no impact” on other scheduled flydubai services.
Flydubai stated: “At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts. Our immediate priority is to ensure the ongoing safety, health, and wellbeing of all passengers and crew members involved in this incident and support the official investigation.”
