"Someone had stabbed the pilot": Passengers recount Cockpit Chaos on flydubai flight to Tel Aviv
Terrifying scenes aboard a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv as passengers describe blood in the cockpit, a sudden dive, and a pilot being stabbed.
Passengers aboard a flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv described a scene of absolute terror on Wednesday, recounting screams, blood inside the cockpit, and a sudden, frightening descent as the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The flight, FZ1073, was carrying approximately 180 passengers, including a significant number of Israelis, when the situation turned violent. According to reports, the aircraft experienced a sudden and sharp dive, dropping from 34,000 feet to roughly 17,000 feet in less than a minute before stabilizing momentarily.
Terror in the Skies: "We thought we wouldn't make it"
Witnesses described a harrowing atmosphere as the realization of the danger set in. One passenger, speaking via text message, recounted the moment the cockpit door was opened to reveal a gruesome scene.
"We heard screams on the plane. Then they opened the cockpit, and we saw blood, and someone had stabbed the pilot with a pocketknife," the passenger told media outlets.
The chaos reportedly led to a moment of collective desperation among those on board. "We prayed, ‘Shema Yisrael,’" she added, noting that there were moments when passengers feared they would not survive the flight.
Another passenger, identified as Noam, told Channel 12 that the panic began when screams broke out among the passengers who realized the gravity of the situation. "We understand that one of the pilots was stabbed and seriously wounded, and they lost control of the plane. It started to dive quickly. It was very scary," she said.
Emergency Signals and Scrambled Jets
The technical data from the flight reflects the intensity of the crisis. The Boeing 737 MAX initially transmitted squawk code 7700, the international signal for an emergency. However, the aircraft briefly transmitted code 7500, a signal used to indicate hijacking or unlawful interference.
The sudden change in signals prompted an immediate response from Israeli authorities. As contact with the plane was momentarily lost, Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept the aircraft amid fears of a hijacking. The plane eventually re-established contact and performed an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Passengers Step In to Help
In the midst of the violence, Israeli passengers reportedly played a crucial role in managing the crisis. Reports suggest that passengers worked alongside the crew to help restrain the attacker once the situation was identified.
While some unconfirmed reports in Hebrew media suggested a pilot may have attempted to crash the aircraft and was stopped by a second pilot and passengers, these specific details have not been independently verified.
Government Response and Official Statements
The incident has drawn high-level attention from the Israeli government. The Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been holding consultations and is closely monitoring the situation.
In a statement shared on X, the Prime Minister's Office noted: "Following concerns over an aviation incident, Prime Minister Netanyahu held consultations on the matter and is monitoring developments. The incident is under control, and all measures are currently being deployed in order to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel."
flydubai has also addressed the incident, confirming that flight FZ 1073 experienced an issue while en route from Dubai International to Ben Gurion International Airport. The airline confirmed that the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk and that all passengers are safe and accounted for.