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Pilot Stabbed, 15000-Foot Dive: Chaos on Flydubai Flight to Tel Aviv
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News18•30-09-2026, 17:07
Pilot Stabbed, 15000-Foot Dive: Chaos on Flydubai Flight to Tel Aviv
- •A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a crisis, initially suspected as a hijack, after sending an emergency signal and transmitting international hijack code 7500.
- •The aircraft suddenly dived 15,000 feet, prompting Israeli security agencies to scramble fighter jets and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold an emergency meeting.
- •News18 India reported a fight between the pilot and co-pilot in the cockpit, with one pilot stabbing the other, endangering 180 passengers.
- •Passengers heard screams from the cockpit and saw blood, with some attempting to intervene to control the situation.
- •The flight safely landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it was confirmed the incident was a violent altercation between pilots, not a hijacking, though the reason for the hijack code and rapid descent is still under investigation.
Key Questions Answered
The emergency alert and international hijack code 7500 were triggered following a violent physical altercation and stabbing between the pilot and co-pilot inside the cockpit.
The aircraft experienced a sudden and sharp descent, dropping rapidly from an altitude of approximately 34,000 feet down to 17,000 feet before eventually stabilizing and continuing flight around 15,000 feet.
The flight was successfully diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport located in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia, with all 180 passengers reported safe.
