Flydubai makes emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after serious cockpit incident

TEL AVIV — A Flydubai aircraft travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv sent emergency signals while flying over Saudi Arabia following a serious incident in the cockpit.

According to several Israeli media reports, one of the pilots allegedly tried to attack his colleague and ultimately cause the aircraft to crash. These claims have not been officially confirmed. Flydubai has so far only confirmed that an incident occurred on board.

During the flight, the aircraft transmitted an emergency code that could have indicated a hijacking. It also temporarily disappeared from radar, triggering alarm in Israel. Israeli fighter jets were sent toward the aircraft, while Israeli airspace was temporarily closed.

Flightradar24 data showed that the Boeing 737 made a sudden descent of around 14,000 feet, or approximately 4,267 meters, shortly before the emergency signal was transmitted. The aircraft then changed course toward Saudi Arabia and landed in the northern city of Tabuk.

According to passenger accounts cited by Israeli media, the second pilot, who was reportedly injured, managed to regain control of the cockpit with help from passengers. Images circulating on social media show a passenger with a bloodied shirt, but the exact details of what happened remain unconfirmed.

Flydubai said another aircraft was being sent to take the passengers on to Tel Aviv. The Boeing 737 used on the route can carry around 180 passengers. Israeli media reported that at least 100 Israeli citizens were on board.