Pilot stabbed in cockpit brawl, emergency code triggers hijacking scare, Israel rules out hijacking

A cockpit feud between pilots aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel triggered panic among passengers, most of them Israelis, as rumours of a possible hijacking spread, while passengers and crew reportedly intervened to restrain an attacker and avert further danger, with one of the pilots allegedly found bleeding after being stabbed with a knife inside the cockpit.

The Flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in north-western Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after transmitting emergency signals during the flight, with passengers later describing screams, a violent struggle and blood near the cockpit.

According to Israeli media reports, the aircraft initially transmitted the international emergency code 7700, indicating a general emergency, before transmitting 7500, a code used to indicate unlawful interference and commonly associated with a hijacking, prompting Israeli authorities to scramble fighter jets and hold urgent security consultations.

However, an Israeli Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said the incident was not believed to have been a hijacking, while Reuters, citing an Israeli official, reported that the pilots had transmitted the emergency signals after becoming involved in a physical altercation.

Passengers described chaotic scenes inside the aircraft, with one unnamed woman telling Channel 12 by text message that they heard screams before the cockpit was opened, where they saw blood and a pilot who had allegedly been stabbed with a pocketknife.

She said Israeli passengers, along with members of the crew, helped restrain the attacker, adding that there were moments when passengers believed they might not survive the incident.

Another passenger reportedly said screams erupted after passengers realised what was happening, while she understood that one of the pilots had been stabbed and seriously wounded, after which the aircraft appeared to lose control and began descending rapidly.

A passenger, speaking with blood visible on his face, was also heard saying that passengers had subdued what he described as “terrorists” and that the aircraft was approaching a landing in Tabuk, where they needed assistance.

Reuters reported that Yasmin Abu Kasis, whose daughter Miriam was aboard the flight, said her daughter had heard screaming and seen a man with a knife forcing one of the pilots to the floor, with blood present.

Flydubai confirmed that FZ1073 had experienced an “incident”, diverted to Tabuk and landed safely, with all passengers accounted for.

Israeli authorities are now investigating whether one of the pilots attempted to take control of the aircraft and deliberately put it in danger, although reports suggesting a possible attempted terror attack have not been established definitively.

Other possibilities, including a non-political episode, are also reportedly being examined, while it remains unclear who initiated the confrontation, whether a knife was used, whether either pilot intentionally activated the 7500 signal and what prompted the violence.

Meanwhile, another Flydubai flight, FZ1081, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was reportedly diverted back towards Dubai, according to Reuters, citing Flightradar24.