Archive · 30 Sep 2026
Flydubai FZ1073 Diverts Safely After Severe Altitude Changes, FZ1081 Scare
A Flydubai plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when its altitude changed very quickly.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane dropping more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
It then climbed and descended again before settling at a lower altitude.
The crew sent emergency signals used for general emergencies and possible unlawful interference.
The plane changed direction and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Everyone on board was reported safe and accounted for.
Some reports said the pilots may have physically fought, but Flydubai has not confirmed that explanation.
Another Flydubai flight, FZ1081, was mistakenly reported as diverted because of incorrect tracking data.
Investigators are still determining what happened on FZ1073.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 descended sharply after departing Dubai for Tel Aviv.
Tracking data showed drops exceeding 14,000 feet and later 17,000 feet.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely.
The aircraft transmitted emergency codes 7700 and 7500 during the incident.
Reports of a cockpit confrontation remain unconfirmed, while FZ1081's apparent diversion was a tracking-data error.
- Who
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying passengers and crew; a second Flydubai flight, FZ1081, was also involved in the tracking-data confusion.
- What
- FZ1073 experienced sharp altitude changes, transmitted emergency codes, and diverted safely to Tabuk; reports of a cockpit altercation remain unconfirmed.
- When
- FZ1073 departed at 03:05 UTC; major altitude changes began around 05:21 UTC, with the aircraft landing at approximately 06:45 UTC.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai toward Tel Aviv before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after briefly entering Jordanian airspace.
- Why
- The reason for the altitude changes and reported onboard disturbance remains under investigation.
Reported onboard confrontation
Confirmed airline position
What caused the emergency?
Reported onboard confrontation
Israeli media reports, passenger accounts, and reports cited by Reuters and CNN described a physical altercation between the pilots; other reports alleged stabbing and a possible attempt to seize control of the aircraft.
Confirmed airline position
Flydubai confirmed only that an incident occurred during the flight and has not publicly confirmed a fight, stabbing, or attempted deliberate crash.
What do the flight data show?
Reported onboard confrontation
The sharp altitude changes, emergency codes, and route reversal were consistent with a serious onboard emergency and prompted concern about unlawful interference.
Confirmed airline position
Flightradar24 data documents the aircraft's movements and transponder codes but does not establish what caused the altitude changes.
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 registered as A6-FKF
- Scheduled route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Departure
- 03:05 UTC
- Altitude changes
- The aircraft dropped more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds and later more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes, according to tracking data.
- Emergency codes
- The flight transmitted 7700, then 7500, before switching back to 7700.
- Diversion
- The aircraft turned toward Tabuk Regional Airport in Saudi Arabia after briefly entering Jordanian airspace.
- Passenger status
- Flydubai said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
- Second-flight scare
- Reports that FZ1081 had diverted were attributed to incorrect flight-tracking data; available information indicated it continued toward Tel Aviv.
