Flydubai Flight Nosedives Amid Alleged Pilot Attack, Passengers Subdue Assailant

Passengers aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv described scenes of terror as the aircraft nosedived, an incident believed to be the result of an attempted hijacking. The plane, flight FZ1073, transmitted emergency signals indicating unlawful interference before diverting over Jordanian airspace toward Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Footage from the flight captured passengers screaming and crying as the plane plunged, with cabin furnishings rattling amidst the turbulence. Many passengers adopted the brace position, while others moved towards the cockpit to investigate the commotion.

Witnesses reported hearing shouts and seeing blood outside the cockpit, indicating a violent altercation had occurred. One passenger emerged with a facial gash, stating that passengers had subdued the "terrorists" and were approaching landing, requesting assistance.

An Israeli official described the event as a "major disaster narrowly avoided," stating that passengers managed to overpower and tie up the pilot. Following the incident, Israel closed its airspace and scrambled fighter jets amid fears of a hijacking. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security meeting and confirmed that the pilot involved had been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities.

According to Netanyahu, one of the pilots allegedly stabbed the other and attempted to crash the plane. He recounted a passenger's report that the aircraft began to spin and descend, but a passenger and a crew member managed to enter the cockpit, overpower the assailant, and stabilize the aircraft. Another crew member then reportedly entered to further stabilize the plane.

Flight data showed the jet rapidly losing altitude over Saudi Arabia, descending over 17,000 feet in less than two minutes. The aircraft experienced further altitude fluctuations before maintaining a steady altitude around 15,000 feet, suggesting manual control rather than autopilot. The plane initially broadcasted a general emergency signal (squawk code 7700), then switched to a signal for unlawful interference (7500) before reverting to 7700.

Israeli security establishments, including the IDF, Mossad, and Shin Bet, are treating the incident as a potential act of terror. Passengers told Israeli media that they heard shouts indicating a violent altercation between the pilots. Some passengers reported that pilots in civilian clothes on board also intervened to prevent the plane from crashing.

Flydubai confirmed the incident and stated that all passengers were safe and accounted for. The airline dispatched a second aircraft to Tabuk Airport to transport passengers to their destination. However, some passengers reportedly refused to board the flydubai plane, preferring an Israeli carrier.

Images of the aircraft show damage to the rudder on the rear of the plane. The incident occurred as commercial flights have been operating between Israel and the UAE since the two countries normalized relations in 2020.