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Dubai to Tel Aviv Flydubai flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after cockpit stabbing incident
Overview
A Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with around 150 people on board was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a reported stabbing incident in the cockpit. The aircraft made a rapid descent and landed at Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia. Both the captain and first officer sustained injuries and were hospitalised, while passengers and local media reported that one pilot attacked the other before being restrained. Flydubai confirmed that all passengers are safe and accounted for.
Key points
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv squawked an emergency and a hijacking code before diverting to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli media and passenger accounts reported that a pilot stabbed a co-pilot in the cockpit before being restrained.
- Tracking data showed the aircraft descended more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes over Saudi Arabia.
- The plane's captain and first officer were injured and taken to hospital following the landing.
- Flydubai confirmed that all passengers are safe and accounted for, and a recovery flight was arranged to bring them home.