A hero British pilot is being hailed for helping save a plunging passenger jet after a knife-wielding pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to hijack the plane. The incident unfolded on Wednesday (September 30) on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, around 90 minutes into the journey while the jet was cruising at 34,000 feet.
Terrified passengers said two off-duty pilots — one British and another described as “European” — ended up taking the controls of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 after a violent brawl erupted in the cockpit. Reports say one pilot produced a knife, stabbed his colleague, and then deliberately interfered with the controls in an apparent bid to bring the aircraft down.
Mid-air plunge and hijack alert
Passengers reportedly described an erratic nosedive as the plane plunged more than 17,000 feet in roughly a minute. Screams were heard from the flight deck and the aircraft’s transponder briefly broadcast emergency codes, including the international “Squawk 7500” hijack signal.
One shaken passenger filmed frantic footage from inside the cabin, pleading: “Anyone who can hear me, we need help”, the Sun reported. As chaos spread, a source quoted by The Sun said: “If something happened over Kuwait and they told you to reroute, then you’re putting one hour, two hours extra on the flight.”
Passengers storm cockpit
Passengers and a cabin crew member forced their way through the locked cockpit door and were confronted by a blood-soaked scene, with the wounded captain forced to the floor. The alleged attacker was wrestled down and dragged out of the flight deck.
That’s when the British relief pilot, travelling as a passenger at the back of the plane, sprinted forward and stepped into the shattered cockpit. Alongside his fellow off-duty colleague, he grabbed the yoke, hauled the nose up, and stabilised the aircraft, LBC reported.
Emergency landing in Saudi Arabia
Passenger Almog Itali said: “There were two pilots in the front, one stabbed the other, and there were two spare pilots who were supposed to operate the next flight. The relief pilots are European, one of them British who entered and pulled the aircraft up ... stabilised the plane and landed us in Saudi Arabia.”
With both on-duty pilots badly hurt, the Brit diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, landing safely at 08.44am local time. Fighter jets were scrambled to escort the aircraft during the emergency landing after officials were alerted to the chaos.
Saudi authorities boarded the jet on arrival and arrested the suspected attacker, who is being interrogated. Both injured pilots were rushed to hospital. The identity of the British hero has not been released, with his name understood to be being kept confidential for safety while investigations continue.
