Flydubai Pilots Fight Mid-Flight, Hijacking Code Triggers Israeli Fighter Jet Alert
DUBAI: A Flydubai passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after an altercation between the pilots reportedly led to the accidental transmission of a hijacking emergency signal, triggering a security alert in Israel.
According to Israeli and international media reports, Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 carrying more than 170 passengers, was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a serious argument and physical confrontation reportedly broke out between the two pilots inside the cockpit.
During the incident, the aircraft allegedly transmitted Code 7500, an internationally recognized transponder code indicating a hijacking or unlawful interference with an aircraft.
The signal prompted an immediate security response in Israel. Two Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter jets were reportedly scrambled after the aircraft was detected behaving unusually and descending, raising concerns over a possible security threat.
A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has turned around over Saudi Arabia after issuing an emergency code linked with attempted hijackings and transmitted a distress signal, Army Radio reported on Wednesday morning.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz also reportedly convened an emergency security meeting following the alert.
Israeli defence officials later said the incident was not related to terrorism or a hijacking and was instead caused by the confrontation between the pilots.
As a precaution, the aircraft was diverted toward Saudi Arabia, where it made a safe emergency landing. All passengers were reported to be safe.
An investigation into the incident has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the cockpit altercation and the accidental transmission of the hijacking code.
