Israel-bound flydubai flight lands in Saudi Arabia as pilots fight in cockpit, stabbing triggers hijack scare mid-air

The incident initially triggered fears of a possible hijacking as Flydubai Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children, briefly disappeared from flight-tracking services.

Flight triggers hijack alert

The aircraft eventually landed safely at an airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after briefly transmitting a code indicating possible unlawful interference.

The signal prompted Israeli authorities to treat the incident as a potential hijacking and initiate security checks.

Passengers to be flown to Israel

A separate aircraft will reportedly be sent from Dubai to Saudi Arabia to pick up the stranded passengers and transport them to Israel.

Security probe underway

Israeli authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a security-related incident and are examining the circumstances surrounding the cockpit altercation.

Investigators are also seeking to determine whether either pilot may have deliberately attempted to cause the aircraft to crash and whether the incident could have been linked to an attempted terrorist attack.

Pilot allegedly stabbed during cockpit fight

Passengers reportedly described hearing screams and seeing blood during the violent altercation inside the cockpit.

According to reports, one of the pilots was allegedly attacked with a knife and stabbed during the confrontation.

The exact circumstances of the alleged stabbing remain under investigation.