Flydubai says flight-deck altercation cause unknown

Flydubai said the reasons and motives behind an altercation in the flight deck of flight FZ 1073 were unknown and under formal investigation, after tracking data showed the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight dropped from nearly 34,000 feet to below 17,000 feet in about a minute before landing safely in Saudi Arabia.

“At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation,” a flydubai spokesperson said. The airline urged all parties to avoid premature speculation while authorities gather the facts.

The flight was approaching the Jordanian border on Wednesday when the aircraft suddenly descended. Flightradar data showed it fell from nearly 34,000 feet at 0521 GMT to less than 17,000 feet a minute later.

Passenger Almog Italie told AFP the sensation was like a “rollercoaster” and said there was no hysteria on board. He said fighting broke out near the cockpit and that passengers near the front “took over control”.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” during the incident. She alleged that the co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and carry out a suicide attack on the plane. She said passengers subdued the co-pilot and that a doctor gave first aid. Ohayon said the pilot was injured and that there were no other injuries.

A video from inside the plane reposted by Israeli social media users showed a passenger with blood on his head saying in Hebrew that people on board had subdued “terrorists” and were preparing to land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Photos sent to AFP by one passenger showed travellers, including children, gathered in an airport lounge after the landing. One man was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans stained with blood.