Tel Aviv [Israel], September 30: A potentially serious incident involving a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was averted after the aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, following a reported altercation between the pilots, Israeli media reported.
According to Israel’s Channel 12, cited by The Times of Israel, a second team of pilots, who were travelling as passengers and were dressed in civilian clothes, stepped in to help land the aircraft. Two passengers reportedly prevented one of the pilots involved in the altercation from taking control of the plane.
An Israeli official told Channel 12 that “the most severe disaster was prevented.” Israeli security sources reportedly said the incident was not considered a hijacking, despite the aircraft transmitting an “unlawful interference” signal.
Flight-tracking data cited by The Times of Israel showed that the aircraft initially transmitted squawk code 7700, indicating a general emergency, before switching to code 7500, which is associated with hijacking or unlawful interference.
The 7500 signal reportedly prompted Israeli Air Force fighter jets to scramble toward the aircraft. The flight, carrying around 180 passengers, turned back while flying over Saudi Arabia and was subsequently tracked near Tabuk before landing safely.
The Israel Defense Forces said Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir held an assessment following the incident with senior military officials, including Israeli Air Force chief Maj Gen Omer Tischler, Operations Directorate chief Maj Gen Itzik Cohen and Intelligence Directorate chief Maj Gen Shlomi Binder.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier warned that Israel’s adversaries could attempt attacks ahead of the country’s elections, saying Israel would respond to threats wherever and whenever necessary. ( ANI)
