A Flydubai flight was forced into an emergency landing after a serious clash between its two pilots. The incident reportedly involved the co-pilot attacking the captain and trying to take control of the aircraft.
The Flydubai flight was travelling from Dubai to Israel when the alarming situation unfolded. Flight FZ1073 was heading from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport about 180 passengers were reportedly onboard.
Both pilots were injured during the incident and were later taken to the hospital.
The passengers and other crew members were reported safe after the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia. Another team of pilots reportedly took control during the emergency they were said to be wearing civilian clothes.
The aircraft eventually landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The situation raised fears of a possible hijacking or terror attack during the flight. The aircraft first sent an international emergency signal before switching to a hijacking code.
It reportedly lost about 17,400 feet in just two minutes before the first emergency signal.
The flight later transmitted the 7500 code, which is used to indicate unlawful interference. The development prompted Israeli authorities to scramble fighter jets towards the aircraft.
Flight-tracking data also showed the plane moving towards Jordanian airspace before turning back. It later entered Saudi Arabian airspace and landed at Tabuk Airport. Israeli authorities initially described the incident as a “vi%lent clash” between the pilots.
However, officials later said they were not ruling out a possible terrorism angle. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s office also addressed the situation after consultations.
His office said the situation was “under control” following discussions over the aviation incident.
