Two pilots injured after reported fight on Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight

Two pilots suffered injuries after an alleged fight broke out in the cockpit of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

The incident forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Flight FZ 1073 landed at Tabuk Airport at about 9:45 am local time, according to the company that operates the airport.

Airport officials said the captain and copilot had injuries and received hospital treatment.

Flydubai said the aircraft encountered an incident during the journey. The airline confirmed that the plane landed safely in Tabuk.

The airline also said all passengers remained safe and accounted for.

Israeli media reported that the pilots’ altercation triggered a distress signal.

Two other pilots travelling as passengers reportedly took control of the aircraft. They then completed the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Families gathered at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel while waiting for news about their relatives.

Yasmin Abukasis said her daughter, Miryam Shira Ohayon, called her after the plane landed in Saudi Arabia.

Abukasis said her daughter claimed that one pilot attacked the other with a knife. She also said passengers heard shouting from the cockpit.

Another passenger reportedly entered the cockpit and saw blood. She then called for help.

Passengers intervened and restrained one of the pilots, according to Abukasis.

She said the aircraft also began losing altitude rapidly during the incident. The sudden descent left passengers fearing that the plane could crash.

Abukasis added that the two pilots travelling as passengers later took control of the aircraft.

Neither flydubai nor authorities in Saudi Arabia, Israel or the United Arab Emirates immediately disclosed the pilots’ nationalities or details of the incident.

Some Israeli media reports claimed that one pilot was Omani and the other Emirati.

Israeli broadcaster Kan and Channel 12 reported that the military scrambled fighter jets after authorities suspected a possible hijacking.

Authorities later dismissed that possibility.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had received a briefing and was monitoring the situation.

The office said authorities were taking steps to ensure the safe return of the Israeli passengers.

The Israeli military also said it was checking the reports.

Meir Zohar, whose son Ido travelled on the flight, said his son sent him a message confirming that he was safe.

Zohar said his son gave him few details about the incident.

Israeli media, citing unnamed sources, reported that passengers helped separate the pilots during the confrontation.

Some reports also showed a passenger wearing a bloodstained shirt.

Channel 12 said investigators were examining whether one pilot attempted to crash the aircraft. The investigation also considered whether the other pilot intervened to prevent a crash.

Flight-tracking data showed a sharp drop in the aircraft’s altitude during the flight.

The plane reportedly descended from almost 34,000 feet to below 17,000 feet within about one minute.

Heavy security surrounded Tabuk Airport after the aircraft landed. Several police vehicles and an ambulance stood near the terminal.

Authorities kept the terminal open despite the heightened security presence.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions across the Middle East.

The tensions followed the regional conflict that began in late February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

The incident also came weeks before Israel’s elections, scheduled for the end of October.

A day earlier, Netanyahu warned that Israel’s enemies could attempt an attack ahead of the election.

The opposition leader criticised the warning and accused Netanyahu of creating unnecessary fear.