ISTANBUL, Sept 30 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- A fight between the pilots of a passenger plane flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv reportedly triggered a hijacking code before the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
“An altercation occurred in the flight deck of flight FZ1073,” Flydubai said, adding that crew members travelling aboard the aircraft managed to secure the plane and divert it safely to Saudi Arabia.
The Dubai-based carrier said the flight, which was operating from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, landed safely at Tabuk Airport and that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for.
Flydubai said the reasons and motives behind the altercation remained unknown and were subject to a formal investigation.
“We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts,” it said.
The flight was carrying 174 passengers and briefly transmitted a distress signal.
Meanwhile, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk said in a statement that its Air Traffic Control Centre received a distress call from Flydubai flight FZ1073 at 8.44 am requesting an emergency landing.
It said an emergency was declared at the airport and preparations were made to assist the aircraft, which landed safely.
The airport said both the aircraft captain and first officer were injured and transferred to hospital for medical treatment.
Earlier, media reported that a code indicating a possible hijacking was activated during the cockpit altercation.
Around 90 minutes after take-off, while entering Jordanian airspace, the aircraft transmitted code “7700”, the international code for a general emergency.
It subsequently transmitted code “7500”, which is used to indicate unlawful interference with an aircraft, including a possible hijacking.
At around the same time, the plane changed course, returned to Saudi airspace and began flying at a low altitude over the kingdom, according to the report.
After initially heading south, the aircraft turned west while remaining inside Saudi airspace before landing in Tabuk.
-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU