Pilot of Indian origin thwarts alleged Omani co-pilot's attempt to crash flydubai plane

Flydubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, sent distress signals while flying over Jordan and subsequently landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. According to reports, an Indian-origin pilot stopped an Omani co-pilot who allegedly attempted to commandeer the aircraft and cause a crash. The incident caused a rapid descent of about 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds, prompting Israeli fighter jets to scramble.

All around 180 passengers, primarily Israeli, escaped injury, and the two pilots were hospitalized after the landing. Israeli officials are examining how the Omani crew member was cleared to operate a flight to Israel and are considering possible Mossad involvement, with passengers to be interviewed on their return. flydubai has confirmed an incident occurred but has not verified the pilots’ nationalities.