A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely on September 30 after an incident in the cockpit. The aircraft transmitted the general emergency code 7700 and later squawked 7500, used to indicate unlawful interference or a possible hijacking.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said one pilot attacked the other and tried to crash or sabotage the aircraft. Flydubai confirmed that the flight had experienced an incident while en route, but said it was too early to determine its cause or motive. Tabuk airport also confirmed the emergency landing and said the relevant authorities were investigating.

Rapid descent and emergency signals

Tracking data cited by ABC News showed the aircraft descending from 34,000 to 16,000 feet in three minutes. The flight then continued at a lower altitude before landing in Tabuk about an hour to an hour and a half after the rapid descent and the emergency signals, according to the report.

A report carried by Iranian outlet Negar Magazine said the aircraft had more than 150 passengers and transmitted the two codes while crossing Jordanian airspace. That report also said Israeli fighter jets were sent to assess the situation. These details were not confirmed in the statements from Flydubai or Tabuk airport.

Passengers enter the cockpit

Netanyahu said passengers and a crew member entered the cockpit and subdued the pilot who had allegedly attacked the captain. One passenger, Yaniv Ohayon, later described helping restrain the suspect and pulling back the controls while the aircraft was descending. His account was reported by the Israeli broadcaster cited by ch23.com.

Another passenger told ABC News that people heard screams, saw blood and felt the aircraft drop sharply. The account of the cockpit confrontation and the alleged intention to bring down the aircraft has not been established by a completed official investigation.

Captain hospitalized, suspect detained

Captain Smit Machchhar, identified by Netanyahu as being from India, was injured and treated at a Saudi hospital. The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia said he was in stable condition. Israeli and Indian officials said the suspected attacker was detained by Saudi authorities; Negar Magazine reported that both pilots were injured and taken for medical care.

Saudi authorities provided services to passengers and coordinated with Flydubai on a replacement aircraft. Israeli passengers later returned to Israel. An Israeli security source said the military had recommended sending an aircraft to repatriate them, but two Israeli sources told ABC News that Saudi Arabia did not permit an Israel Defense Forces rescue flight.

Flydubai’s service between Dubai and Israel was temporarily suspended after the incident, according to the event summary. Israeli officials called for additional security preparations, while the Israeli Transport Ministry planned a joint inquiry. The investigation is expected to clarify what happened in the cockpit and why the aircraft changed course.