A Tel Aviv bound fly Dubai flight diverted to Tabuk Saudi Arabia on 30 September after broadcasting an emergency squawk code and indicating an unlawful interference squat code for some time before switching back to general emergency. Multiple media outlets, including CNN and Reuters, now report that the disturbance on board was a physical altercation between the pilots.
FlyDubai flight 1073 departed Dubai at 03:05 UTC and climbed to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet.
At 05:21 UTC, the flight began a steep descent, followed by a sharp ascent, followed by another sharp descent. The aircraft then centered its flight on an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet by 05:33 UTC. The aircraft’s altitude oscillated around 15,000 feet and ground speed varied significantly throughout the rest of the flight.
The aircraft began squawking 7700, a discreet code internationally standardized to indicate “general emergency”, at 05:28:48 UTC as it flew along the Saudi-Jordanian border.
The flight switched to squawk 7500 at 05:35 UTC, another internationally standardized code to indicate “unlawful interference”, before turning west. After briefly entering Jordanian airspace, the flight turned back 180 degrees before heading southwest toward Tabuk.
The aircraft switched back to squawk 7700 as it approached Tabuk. The last ADS-B data received from the aircraft indicates a safe landing in Tabuk. The last ADS-B message received by Flightradar24 was at 06:58 UTC.
Downloadable data
The CSV below contains the granular ADS-B data from FZ1073, including barometric altitude, ground speed, and reported vertical rate.
flyDubai statement
Flydubai can confirm that flight FZ 1073 operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) on 30 September experienced an incident while en route. The aircraft has landed safely in Tabuk Airport (TUU) and all passengers are safe and accounted for. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority.
Our teams are working closely with the relevant authorities. Further updates will be issued as additional confirmed details become available.
This is a developing story and we will provide additional information as it becomes available and is confirmed.
The post FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv diverts to Tabuk amid onboard incident appeared first on Flightradar24 Blog.
