Second Flydubai Jet Diverted After Mid-Air Pilot Fight Led to Saudi Landing

Flight Diversion

A second Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, numbered FZ1081, has been diverted and is heading back to Dubai according to Flightradar24 data cited by Reuters. This follows the emergency landing of flight FZ1073 in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent altercation broke out between the two pilots in the cockpit.

Pilot Altercation

Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 passengers, experienced chaotic scenes when one pilot was stabbed with a pocketknife during a fight. Passengers and crew helped restrain the attacker, while the aircraft entered a steep descent and sharp climb before squawking emergency code 7700 and unlawful interference code 7500 near Jordan. Israel scrambled fighter jets and Prime Minister Netanyahu held an urgent security meeting amid fears of a hijacking.

Landing and Safety

The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia shortly before 10 am Israel time, and Flydubai stated that everyone on board is safe and accounted for. Israeli officials clarified that the event was not a hijacking, and the Prime Minister's Office noted that work is underway to bring the Israeli passengers home safely.

Context

Commercial aircraft transponders use specific four-digit codes like 7700 for general emergencies and 7500 for unlawful interference to alert air traffic control instantly. Such incidents involving flight crew altercations trigger immediate security protocols and cross-border military responses due to potential safety risks.