en.malanginspirasi.com – Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned into a terrifying mid-air ordeal after a violent attack in the cockpit forced the aircraft into a 17,000-foot plunge and led to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai Flight FZ1073, carrying roughly 180 passengers, was about two hours into its journey to Ben Gurion Airport when the Boeing 737 experienced a sudden altitude drop, plummeting 17,000 feet (5,200 meters) in just two minutes.
Around 08:44 local time, the aircraft made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
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Airline representatives confirmed that all passengers on board are safe and accounted for.
During the confrontation, the aircraft briefly squawked transponder code 7700 to indicate a general emergency before switching to code 7500, the international signal for unlawful interference or a hijacking attempt.
Passenger accounts describe scenes of panic after a stabbing occurred inside the cockpit, with eyewitnesses reporting screams, blood, and a knife.
According to passengers, two off-duty pilots traveling in the cabin stepped forward to assist in bringing the aircraft safely to the ground, although official aviation authorities have not yet confirmed their involvement.
Both the captain and the first officer sustained injuries during the incident and were immediately transported to a local hospital upon landing in Tabuk.
Significant details surrounding the attack remain unclear as investigators begin probing the event. Authorities have not yet confirmed the motive behind the confrontation or the precise weapon used.
Furthermore, the names and nationalities of the flight crew, the injured pilots, and the individuals who landed the plane have not been publicly released.
Civil aviation authorities, local police, and international investigators are working to establish the full sequence of events.
Flydubai stated that its operational teams are actively coordinating with regional authorities to assist passengers and support the ongoing investigation.
