What is the story about?
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when a violent confrontation inside the cockpit triggered a rapid loss of altitude,
emergency signals and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, was scheduled to be a routine journey lasting around three hours and 15 minutes. Israeli officials are investigating the incident as a suspected terrorist attack, while Flydubai described it as an altercation between the pilots.
How The Flydubai Cockpit Emergency Unfolded
6:05 AM: Flight takes off from Dubai
Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. No unusual activity was reported during the initial part of the flight.
8:21 AM: Aircraft suddenly loses more than 14,000 feet
The aircraft experienced a dramatic drop in altitude, losing more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to the supplied flight data. Other flight tracking data cited in the material put the total drop at around 17,400 feet in less than two minutes.
An Israeli assessment said an Omani co-pilot was suspected of attempting to crash the aircraft. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, fought back after being stabbed in the cockpit.
8:31 AM: General emergency code transmitted
Ten minutes after the sharp descent, the aircraft transmitted squawk 7700, the international signal for a general emergency.
8:38 AM: Hijacking code activated
Seven minutes later, Flight FZ1073 transmitted squawk 7500, the code used to indicate a hijacking. Israeli authorities scrambled two Air Force fighter jets and began urgent consultations as they assessed the situation aboard the aircraft.
Passenger testimony later described a man armed with a knife allegedly attacking one of the pilots. One passenger said several people entered the cockpit and pulled the attacker away.
9:20 AM: Netanyahu and Katz hold urgent consultation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held an urgent security consultation as authorities monitored the aircraft.
9:35 AM: Plane heads toward Saudi Arabia
The aircraft diverted toward Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing under fighter escort. The immediate concern shifted to bringing the reportedly injured flight crew and passengers safely to the ground.
9:45 AM: Aircraft lands in Tabuk
Flight FZ1073 landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, ending the immediate danger. Both pilots were taken to hospital, according to the supplied material. Captain Smit Machchhar is being treated at a hospital in Tabuk and was reported to be in stable condition, according to the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
Passenger accounts said several Israeli passengers entered the cockpit and helped subdue the suspected attacker. One passenger, Almog Italie, also said two “relief pilots” who were supposed to operate a subsequent flight were aboard and eventually helped stabilize and land the aircraft.
“There were two pilots in the front, one stabbed the other, and there were two spare pilots who were supposed to operate the next flight,” Italie said, according to the supplied BBC interview. He said the spare pilots stabilized the plane and landed it in Saudi Arabia.
A replacement Flydubai aircraft later transported most of the stranded passengers back to Israel.
Flydubai confirmed that a distress signal had been activated following a violent incident aboard the aircraft and said it was investigating the altercation between the pilots. Israeli authorities, meanwhile, are increasingly treating the incident as a suspected terror attack.
