A flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The incident happened after an altercation in the cockpit. Israeli officials described the incident as a possible attempted terror attack. However, the exact motive has not yet been officially confirmed. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir claimed that a “terrorist” wanted to crash flydubai flight FZ1073 and kill Israeli passengers. Israeli officials also said their initial assessment was that the incident was not linked to a mental health issue involving either pilot. At first, the incident was treated as a possible hijacking. However, Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister’s office, initially said it was not believed to be a hijacking. He described it as a “different incident”. Meanwhile, flydubai confirmed that an altercation took place in the flight deck. The airline said its crew secured the aircraft and diverted it safely to Tabuk Airport. All passengers and crew members were safe and accounted for.

What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. It was flying over Jordanian airspace when the situation developed. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft sent a general emergency signal. It later transmitted a signal indicating possible unlawful interference. The Boeing 737 then made a sharp descent. Flightradar24 data showed that the aircraft dropped by around 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. It later diverted towards Saudi Arabia. The aircraft eventually landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were taken to hospital after suffering injuries. Israeli officials said passengers and crew members intervened during the incident. Some passengers reportedly entered the cockpit and helped subdue the person involved.

Passenger describes alleged suicide attack

A passenger on the flight later described the incident to reporters. Miryam Shira Ohayon said the co-pilot tried to attack the pilot and crash the aircraft. “The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane,” Miryam Shira Ohayon told reporters via speakerphone, with the phone held by her mother, according to AFP. Miryam was travelling to Israel for a memorial service for her brother. Her brother was killed in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, her mother Yasmin Abukasis said. Ohayon also said passengers helped prevent the aircraft from crashing. “It was really on the way to crashing, and it was simply the resourcefulness of many people who took control of the co-pilot and neutralised him,” Miryam said.

Investigation continues

The incident remains under investigation. Israeli officials have described it as a possible terror attack, while the exact circumstances and motive have yet to be fully established. Flydubai said it was working with the relevant authorities. The airline has also said that all passengers and crew were safe after the aircraft landed in Tabuk. The emergency landing briefly raised fears of a hijacking. However, officials later focused on the reported confrontation between the pilots and the actions taken by passengers and crew to secure the aircraft.