A Tel Aviv bound fly Dubai flight diverted to Tabuk Saudi Arabia on 30 September after broadcasting an emergency squawk code and indicating an unlawful interference squat code for some time before switching back to general emergency. Multiple media outlets, including CNN and Reuters, now report that the disturbance on board was a physical altercation between the pilots.
FlyDubai flight 1073 departed Dubai at 03:05 UTC and climbed to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet.
At 05:21 UTC, the flight began a steep descent, followed by a sharp ascent, followed by another sharp descent. The aircraft then centered its flight on an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet by 05:33 UTC. The aircraft’s altitude oscillated around 15,000 feet and ground speed varied significantly throughout the rest of the flight.
The aircraft began squawking 7700, a discreet code internationally standardized to indicate “general emergency”, at 05:28:48 UTC as it flew along the Saudi-Jordanian border.
The flight switched to squawk 7500 at 05:35 UTC, another internationally standardized code to indicate “unlawful interference”, before turning west. After briefly entering Jordanian airspace, the flight turned back 180 degrees before heading southwest toward Tabuk.
The aircraft switched back to squawk 7700 as it approached Tabuk. The last ADS-B data received from the aircraft indicates a safe landing in Tabuk. The last ADS-B message received by Flightradar24 was at 06:58 UTC.
Downloadable data
The CSV below contains the granular ADS-B data from FZ1073, including barometric altitude, ground speed, and reported vertical rate.
Updated flyDubai statement
An altercation occurred in the flight deck of flight FZ 1073, operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), on 30 September.
The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for.
We have deployed two replacement aircraft to Tabuk to relieve the passengers and crew.
This incident has no impact on other scheduled operations across the flydubai network.
At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts.
Our immediate priority is to ensure the ongoing safety, health, and wellbeing of all passengers and crew members involved in this incident and support the official investigation.
This is a developing story and we will provide additional information as it becomes available and is confirmed.
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