A routine flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned into a terrifying mid-air emergency on Wednesday after an apparent violent confrontation between the pilots of a flydubai aircraft. Flight FZ1073, carrying around 180 people, was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals, including the international code associated with unlawful interference.
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The Boeing 737 was flying towards Israel when its altitude suddenly dropped sharply. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft descending by thousands of feet in a matter of seconds, while passengers reported hearing screams coming from the cockpit. The situation became even more alarming when the aircraft transmitted the 7500 transponder code, which is used to indicate hijacking or unlawful interference.
Also read: Passengers recall harrowing ordeal on flight that nearly crashed
