Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday after a violent incident in the cockpit in which one of the pilots was stabbed, prompting Israeli authorities to consider a possible hijacking and scramble fighter jets. Israeli officials told CNN that the co-pilot, an Omani national, is suspected of attacking the captain, and that an Israeli passenger helped restrain him. The Boeing 737 MAX 8, carrying 174 passengers including 27 children according to Ynet, took off from Dubai at 6.05am Cyprus time. Flight-tracking data published by Flightradar24 show that the aircraft dropped more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds, then transmitted the general emergency code 7700 and, seven minutes later, the 7500 code signalling unlawful interference, before briefly entering Jordanian airspace, turning back and landing at Tabuk at around 9.45am. Flydubai said the aircraft "experienced an incident while en route" and that all passengers were safe and accounted for. CNN reported that Saudi Arabia's main airport operator said both the captain and the co-pilot were taken to hospital with injuries, while the Israeli prime minister's office said the situation was under control and that authorities were working to bring the passengers home.
What passengers described
A passenger identified as Meital told Israel's Channel 12 that a member of the cockpit crew had tried to bring the aircraft down and was overpowered by passengers, among them her husband. "Someone shouted 'stabbing' and my husband understood immediately what was happening," she said, adding that he ran to the front of the plane and, together with other Israelis, subdued the attacker. She described stab wounds and a great deal of blood on board. Another passenger, in a video sent to his family, said he had helped restrain a man who tried to take control of the aircraft and who was then tied up. Footage published by Israeli media appears to show passengers applauding and singing as the plane touched down in Tabuk, while photographs circulated after landing appear to show damage to the aircraft's tail section. Passengers told Ynet that a doctor and a nurse on board gave first aid to the injured pilot.
Reports of off-duty pilots on board
According to Channel 12, a second team of pilots was travelling on the flight as passengers in civilian clothes and helped prevent one of the pilots from taking control of the aircraft, an account also reported by Israel Hayom. An Israeli official quoted by Channel 12 said that without their presence the incident could have developed into an attack comparable to 11 September 2001 or the 1976 Entebbe hijacking. This account has not been officially confirmed. Israeli outlet Walla reported that the pilot under investigation is an Omani national, and Ynet reported that, following an assessment involving the Israeli military, the Shin Bet and the Mossad, Israeli authorities now treat the incident as a terrorist attack, while also examining whether the co-pilot may have intended to take his own life. CNN noted that it remains unclear how an Omani pilot obtained clearance to operate a flight to Israel.
Second flight turns back
A second scheduled Flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel was diverted while in the air, according to Flightradar24, receiving instructions to turn back while over Saudi Arabia and returning to Dubai International Airport. Flydubai has said it will send a replacement aircraft to Tabuk to carry the stranded passengers on to Tel Aviv, although Israeli media reported that the dispatch of an Israeli civilian or military aircraft is also being considered. No official account has yet been given of the causes and exact circumstances of the incident, and investigations are continuing.
