Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Flydubai Mayday Flight Diverted to Tabuk After Cockpit Attack
A Flydubai airplane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when an emergency happened in the cockpit.
The captain was reportedly hurt during a confrontation.
Someone on the plane called for urgent help and said ambulances might be needed.
The plane dropped quickly and changed its emergency tracking signals.
It first tried to find a place to land in Saudi Arabia.
Reports said it was then directed toward Jordan, but Jordanian clearance was not secured.
The plane returned to Saudi Arabia and landed safely in Tabuk.
Saudi officials said they took the needed steps and cared for everyone after landing.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 180 people aboard.
A violent cockpit confrontation reportedly injured the captain and prompted a Mayday call requesting medical assistance.
The aircraft transmitted emergency code 7700 before switching to 7500, associated with unlawful interference.
Reports said Saudi Arabia and Jordan initially delayed or denied landing clearance, though Saudi officials disputed that account.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 eventually landed safely at Tabuk, where passengers and crew received care.
- Who
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying more than 180 passengers and crew, was involved; the captain was reportedly injured.
- What
- The Boeing 737 MAX 8 declared an emergency after a violent cockpit confrontation and later made an emergency landing.
- When
- Wednesday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and ultimately landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after briefly entering Jordanian airspace.
- Why
- A cockpit confrontation reportedly injured the captain and created an emergency requiring diversion and medical assistance.
Reported Communications Account
Saudi Official Account
Landing clearance
Reported Communications Account
A person familiar with the air traffic communications said the aircraft initially had difficulty securing permission to land in Saudi Arabia and was directed toward Jordan.
Saudi Official Account
Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said authorities took the necessary measures after the emergency was declared and granted clearance for an emergency landing.
Jordanian airspace
Reported Communications Account
The reported account said the plane briefly entered Jordanian airspace, was told to await military clearance, and did not secure permission to land there.
Saudi Official Account
The Saudi statement cited in the article does not provide a separate account of the Jordanian clearance process, leaving that part of the sequence unresolved.
Sequence of events
Reported Communications Account
The communications account described the aircraft returning toward Saudi Arabia after Jordanian clearance was not obtained and making another landing request.
Saudi Official Account
Saudi officials said the aircraft received emergency landing clearance, but the differing accounts mean the precise sequence of communications remains unclear.
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX 8
- People aboard
- More than 180 passengers and crew
- Emergency codes
- 7700, followed by 7500, the code associated with unlawful interference
- Final landing
- Emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Clearance dispute
- A reported account described delayed or denied landing permission, while Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry said authorities granted emergency clearance