Flydubai pilots hospitalized after emergency landing of Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight in Tabuk

Two Israeli officials said the incident aboard the Flydubai aircraft may have been an attempt at a “terrorist act” by one of the pilots. According to them, there are grounds to believe that the co-pilot attacked the captain with a knife, after which crew members were able to enter the cockpit and take control of the aircraft.

Flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft first sent a general distress signal, and a few minutes later another distress signal was transmitted, indicating a possible hijacking of the plane.

After that, the airliner was diverted and landed at Tabuk Airport in northern Saudi Arabia. Saudi airport authorities said both pilots were hospitalized with injuries.

Tabuk Airport management said it is working with Flydubai to find a backup aircraft to transport the Israeli passengers. Earlier, an Israeli official speaking on condition of anonymity told Reuters that the pilots had sent distress signals after fighting with each other, and the spokesperson for the office of Israeli Prime Minister Doron Spielman told Reuters that the incident is not being treated as an aircraft hijacking and is “another incident”.

Sources

• Material: ru.themoscowtimes.com