Plane makes emergency landing as pilots fight in cockpit
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineA Flydubai passenger plane travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after its two pilots reportedly got into a physical fight in the cockpit.
The Boeing 737, operating as Flight FZ1073, was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals while en route to Israel.
According to Reuters, the aircraft first transmitted a general emergency signal before sending another signal indicating possible unlawful interference, which is commonly associated with a hijacking.
The incident triggered a major security response in Israel, with fighter jets reportedly scrambled amid fears that the aircraft had been hijacked.
However, an Israeli official told Reuters that the emergency signals were transmitted after the pilots got into a physical altercation.
The aircraft subsequently landed safely at Tabuk airport, with Flydubai confirming that an “incident” had occurred and that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft made a sharp descent during the incident before diverting to Saudi Arabia.
Passengers reportedly heard shouting from the cockpit during the incident, while reports from Israeli media said one of the pilots may have been injured. The details of the confrontation remain under investigation.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said the situation was under control and that measures were being taken to return the passengers to Israel.
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The flight, which had been carrying about 150 passengers, was travelling on one of Flydubai’s regular Dubai-Tel Aviv services.
Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations, making the emergency landing particularly unusual.
The incident occurred amid heightened security tensions in the Middle East, where the ongoing conflict has raised concerns over aviation and regional security.
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