A commercial airliner flying from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a fight between its pilots triggered a distress signal.
A flydubai jet carrying about 180 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv sent a distress signal on the morning of the 30th, according to The Times of Israel and other local media. Most of those on board were Israelis.
The plane landed at Tabuk airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia, and all passengers and crew were unharmed. Israeli Prime Minister's Office said the incident did not appear to be a hijacking.
The aircraft descended sharply over Saudi Arabia about two hours after takeoff. The crew first transmitted code 7700, used when a flight faces a threat such as a mechanical failure, engine trouble, fire or a serious medical emergency on board, then switched the signal to code 7500, which indicates a hijacking. Reuters, citing flight data, reported that the plane dropped about 14,000 feet, or roughly 4,267 meters, in less than 30 seconds after the first distress signal.
The Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets and raised its alert level in response. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz convened an emergency meeting.
Israeli officials said the hijacking scare stemmed from a physical fight between the pilots. Passengers described a man with a knife knocking a pilot to the floor, with blood spattered around the cockpit area.
The Prime Minister's Office said the situation was under control and that it was working to bring the Israeli passengers home. Authorities are investigating what exactly led the crew to send the distress signals.
