FLYDUBAI PLANE ATTACK: HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
Armed Conflict · · Saudi Arabia
FLYDUBAI PLANE ATTACK: HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR
Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent altercation broke out between the 2 pilots.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 suddenly plunged thousands of feet before transmitting 7700, the general emergency code, followed by 7500, the code for unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.
Israel scrambled fighter jets as the aircraft diverted toward Saudi Arabia. The plane landed safely in Tabuk, where Saudi security forces surrounded the aircraft. All passengers are reported safe.
Israeli officials say the incident was NOT a hijacking and that the emergency unfolded following a physical fight between the pilots.
Several more serious claims are circulating, but remain UNVERIFIED:
• Passengers told Israeli media that 1 pilot was stabbed multiple times with a pocketknife and that blood was seen inside the cockpit.
• Other accounts say passengers and cabin crew helped restrain 1 of the pilots.
• Israeli media has reported that 1 pilot may have deliberately attempted to send the aircraft into a steep dive before the other pilot fought him for control.
• Claims that Israeli military pilots aboard the flight took control or landed the aircraft are also NOT verified.
What is confirmed: FZ1073 suffered a major cockpit incident, rapidly lost altitude, transmitted both emergency and hijacking codes and diverted to Saudi Arabia.
The most likely sequence, based on what is known so far: 1 pilot attacked the other inside the cockpit, with the struggle spilling onto the controls and sending the aircraft into its violent altitude swings.
An emergency was then declared, followed by the 7500 unlawful interference code, before the aircraft diverted safely to Saudi Arabia.
The investigation is ongoing.
Source: @Open Source Intel
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