Flydubai Flight Diverted After Violent Mid-Air Cockpit Fight
A Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following a violent physical confrontation between the pilot and co-pilot inside the cockpit.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration A6-FKF, departed Dubai International at 07:05 UAE time with approximately 174 passengers, including 27 children, on board. The crisis unfolded while the aircraft was flying over northwestern Saudi airspace near the Jordanian border.
Sudden Altitude Drop and Emergency Signals
During the incident, the aircraft experienced a terrifyingly rapid descent. In less than 30 seconds, the jet plummeted over 14,000 feet, falling from an altitude of between 33,000 and 34,000 feet to approximately 17,000 feet.
As the plane descended, it transmitted two critical emergency codes to air traffic control:
- 7700: Indicating a general emergency.
- 7500: Indicating unlawful interference.
Reports of Physical Altercation and Knife
While official investigations are ongoing, reports from Israeli media—citing security officials and passengers—allege that a violent physical altercation took place in the cockpit involving a knife. Some reports even suggested that blood was visible when the cockpit door was opened.
Cabin crew and passengers reportedly assisted in securing the situation during the mid-air crisis. The aircraft eventually landed safely at the dual civilian-military Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia between 09:45 and 09:50 local time.