Flight tracking data shows how the incident unfolded
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- Flydubai Flight FZ1073 transmitted emergency code 7700 before switching briefly to code 7500, indicating possible unlawful interference.
- The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight later diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a reported altercation between the pilots. All passengers were reported safe.
Publicly available flight-tracking data shows how Flydubai Flight FZ1073 descended sharply, changed course and eventually diverted to Saudi Arabia after an incident aboard the aircraft on Wednesday.
The flight departed Dubai at 6:05 a.m. local time and was traveling west toward Tel Aviv.
Read more: Flydubai flight lands safely in Saudi Arabia after cockpit brawl
At around 8:20 a.m., the aircraft began losing altitude and turned sharply north. Flight-tracking data showed it descended about 17,400 feet in less than two minutes before stabilizing at a lower altitude.
At 8:31 a.m., the aircraft transmitted transponder code 7700, the internationally recognized signal for a general emergency.
Four minutes later, at 8:35 a.m., the flight switched to code 7500, which signals unlawful interference and is commonly associated with a possible hijacking. The signal prompted a major security response as the aircraft was approaching the region.
At 8:41 a.m., the aircraft turned around and entered Jordanian airspace before re-entering Saudi airspace five minutes later.
The plane eventually headed toward Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia and landed safely at 9:54 a.m.
Read more: Flydubai passenger describes panic after cockpit incident
Reuters reported that an ‘Israeli’ official said the emergency signals were transmitted after a physical altercation between the pilots. The official said the incident was not believed to have been a hijacking.
Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk airport said both pilots were hospitalized after sustaining injuries. Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft had experienced an “incident” and said all passengers were safe and accounted for.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
