Passengers aboard FlyDubai flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv faced a terrifying ordeal on Wednesday morning when a mid-flight emergency unfolded approximately two and a half hours after departure. According to reports, one pilot allegedly stabbed the other, triggering a severe crisis onboard.
The incident escalated when one of the pilots reportedly sent the aircraft into a sudden and steep descent. Fortunately, the second pilot intervened and managed to halt the rapid drop, leading to a physical confrontation between the two. Amid the chaos, passengers and crew members successfully restrained the pilot responsible for the stabbing.
In a remarkable turn of events, two off-duty pilots traveling as passengers took control of the situation and safely landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. FlyDubai later confirmed that all passengers were safe and accounted for, reassuring the public after the alarming episode.
Rapid altitude changes highlight the severity of the incident
Flight data from Flightradar24 reveals that after departing Dubai at 03:05 UTC, FlyDubai flight 1073 climbed to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet. However, at 05:21 UTC, the aircraft experienced a dramatic plunge, descending nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. Following this, the plane made a sharp ascent and then another steep drop before stabilizing at around 15,000 feet by 05:33 UTC. The flight concluded with the safe landing at Tabuk approximately 30 minutes later.
It remains unclear who initially transmitted the emergency squawk code 7700, signaling a general emergency, though the code was subsequently changed. The swift response of the off-duty pilots and the coordinated efforts of passengers and crew were pivotal in bringing the situation under control and ensuring the safety of everyone on board.