A flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent altercation reportedly broke out between the captain and co-pilot, according to media reports.
Flight FZ1073 landed safely at Tabuk airport, with all passengers and crew accounted for, according to flydubai. Both pilots were injured and taken to hospital, Saudi airport authorities said.
As per media reports, one pilot allegedly attacked the other with a knife during the flight. Passenger accounts also described shouting and a sudden loss of altitude. Some reports said passengers and other crew members intervened during the incident.
The aircraft transmitted emergency signals during the flight, including one associated with possible unlawful interference. This initially raised fears of a hijacking and prompted a security response from Israeli authorities. However, Israeli officials later said the incident was not believed to have been a conventional hijacking.
Some Israeli media reports have described the incident as a possible attempted terror attack, but authorities are still investigating what happened and the motive behind the confrontation. Those claims have not been independently established.
Reports have also identified the captain as being of Indian origin or an Indian national. However, his identity and nationality have not been officially confirmed by flydubai or Saudi authorities.
The investigation is continuing, with authorities examining the circumstances of the cockpit confrontation and the emergency diversion.
