Flydubai Flight FZ1073 Makes Emergency Landing in Tabuk After Dramatic Altitude Drop and Pilot Dispute

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 30, after a violent incident involving the pilots triggered international emergency codes and briefly raised fears of a hijacking. Flight FZ1073, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8, departed Dubai International Airport early on September 30 bound for Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. It was carrying roughly 170 to 180 passengers, including a large number of Israelis and about 27 children.

About 90 minutes into the flight, as the aircraft approached the area near the Jordan-Saudi border, it transmitted the general emergency transponder code 7700, followed shortly afterwards by 7500, the international code indicating possible unlawful interference or hijacking. The aircraft later reverted to 7700. Thailand Woman Alleges Pakistani Passenger S*xually Harassed Her While She Slept on Flydubai Flight.

Flydubai Flight Plunged 17,400 Feet

Flight-tracking data showed a sharp drop in altitude. According to reports citing tracking information, the plane descended approximately 17,400 feet - from around 34,000 feet to about 16,600 feet - in just over two minutes. Some data indicated an even steeper initial plunge of more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. The aircraft then diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport (Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport) in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed the safe landing and stated that all passengers were accounted for.

What Happened Onboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073

Israeli officials and media reports described the emergency signals as resulting from a physical altercation between the two pilots in the cockpit, rather than a hijacking by passengers or an external threat. An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that the pilots transmitted the signals after getting into a fight. Flydubai acknowledged that the flight “experienced an incident while en route” and said its teams were cooperating with relevant authorities. The airline did not provide further public details on the nature of the cockpit confrontation in its initial statements. Passenger accounts shared with Israeli media described hearing screams, seeing blood in the cockpit area, and reports of a stabbing involving a knife or pocketknife.

Some said passengers and crew helped restrain one of the individuals involved. These accounts have not been independently verified by authorities, and the exact sequence of events remains under investigation. Israeli media outlets, including reports cited by N12 and others, later examined possibilities that one pilot may have attempted to put the aircraft into a deliberate dive or that the incident involved more serious intent. Some coverage referenced the nationality of one pilot as Omani, while other Israeli reports described the pilots as Russian and Ukrainian. None of these details on nationality or motive have been confirmed by the airline, Saudi authorities, or independent official sources.

All Measures Are Currently Being Deployed in Order To Return the Israeli Passengers Safely to Israel

Israeli Response

The emergency codes and unusual flight path prompted a rapid response in Israel. Fighter jets were scrambled, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz held security consultations. The Israel Defence Forces chief also conducted a situational assessment with senior military officials. Israeli authorities initially treated the situation with high caution given the flight’s destination and the use of the 7500 code. The prime minister’s office later stated that the incident was not believed to be a hijacking and that efforts were underway to return Israeli passengers safely. Saudi security forces responded at Tabuk after the landing. The pilots were removed from the aircraft, according to reports.

Current Status

Flydubai said the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remained its highest priority and that further updates would follow as confirmed details became available. The airline indicated plans to arrange alternative transportation for passengers to continue to Israel. Investigations by the airline and relevant authorities in the countries involved are ongoing. Official accounts continue to emphasise that the plane landed safely with no reported passenger injuries from the altitude changes or diversion itself.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 03:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).