A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an onboard incident involving a reported altercation between pilots.
Flight FZ1073 landed safely at Tabuk Airport on September 30. The airline confirmed that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
Flight-tracking information identified the aircraft as a Boeing 737 MAX 8, registration A6-FKF. It had been operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport.
An Israeli official said a physical confrontation between the pilots preceded the emergency signals. The cause of the reported confrontation remained unclear.
Emergency codes trigger concern
Tracking data showed the aircraft transmitting code 7700, which signals a general emergency, before switching to 7500 and later returning to 7700.
Code 7500 indicates unlawful interference with an aircraft, including a possible hijacking. Its transmission alone does not establish what happened inside the cockpit.
Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister’s office, said officials did not believe the incident involved a hijacking. The office also said it was working to bring Israeli passengers home.
Officials had not established whether either pilot deliberately activated the emergency signals, according to the reporting available.
The alert prompted Israel to scramble fighter aircraft while authorities assessed the situation. The Israeli military also reported a security assessment involving senior commanders.
Tracking data shows changes in altitude
The flight departed Dubai at 03:05 UTC, equivalent to 7:05am in the UAE, and climbed to 34,000 feet.
At approximately 05:21 UTC, tracking data showed a steep descent, followed by a sharp climb and another descent. The aircraft subsequently flew around 15,000 feet, with further variations in altitude and ground speed.
It began transmitting the general emergency code near the Saudi-Jordanian border. After briefly entering Jordanian airspace, it reversed direction and headed southwest towards Tabuk.
The flight returned to code 7700 during its approach. The tracking service’s final aircraft-position message came at 06:58 UTC.
These records describe the aircraft’s movements and signals. They do not independently explain the reported confrontation or establish responsibility for the incident.
Airline works with authorities
“The aircraft has landed safely in Tabuk Airport (TUU) and all passengers are safe and accounted for,” a flydubai spokesperson said.
The carrier said its teams were cooperating with the relevant authorities and would release further information once it confirmed additional details.
Its statement did not identify the pilots or explain what prompted the diversion. It also did not specify who selected the emergency codes.
Early reports placed the aircraft at Tabuk following the landing. However, the statements reviewed did not confirm a departure time or establish that authorities had formally withheld clearance.
The investigation remained ongoing, with the circumstances behind the cockpit incident still awaiting a fuller official account.
