Watch: Screams, chaos onboard as Flydubai flight takes 17,000 ft roller coaster ride mid-air

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after an alleged violent altercation between two pilots inside the cockpit triggered a mid-air emergency, with videos purportedly capturing passengers screaming as the aircraft rapidly descended.Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying around 180 people, was diverted to Tabuk airport on Wednesday after transmitting emergency signals that briefly raised fears of a hijacking. Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as they struggled to establish contact with the aircraft.Preliminary reports in Israeli media suggested that one pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft by forcing it into a steep descent from around 30,000 feet. The other pilot reportedly intervened, leading to a physical struggle inside the cockpit.The aircraft reportedly lost more than 17,000 feet in under 30 seconds during the incident. However, the exact circumstances of the descent and the reported cockpit confrontation remain under investigation.Fluctuating between about -30,000 and +10,000 feet per minute. The aircraft briefly climbed to around 21,650 feet before descending below 14,000 feet and later stabilising at around 15,000 feet for an extended period.Videos capture panic inside aircraftVideos shared on social media purportedly show passengers screaming as the aircraft undergoes a sudden descent. In another clip, passengers appear to cheer after the situation aboard the aircraft seemingly comes under control.The footage has emerged amid reports of a violent confrontation between the pilots. However, the precise sequence of events captured in the videos could not be independently established.According to Israeli media reports, passengers heard shouting near the cockpit during the incident. Some reportedly claimed that one of the pilots had been stabbed, while others said passengers helped crew members restrain the attacker. These accounts have not been independently confirmed.Emergency codes trigger Israeli security responseThe aircraft first transmitted squawk 7700, the international code for a general emergency, before switching to 7500, which indicates hijacking or unlawful interference.The signals prompted an emergency security response in Israel, with fighter jets scrambled towards the aircraft amid concerns that it could have been hijacked.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior military officials also held urgent consultations as authorities attempted to establish contact with the aircraft.Netanyahu's office later said the situation was under control and that all necessary measures were being taken to return Israeli passengers safely to Israel.Flight-tracking data reportedly showed unusual altitude fluctuations before the aircraft stabilised at around 15,000 feet. The plane was also reported to have briefly climbed to around 21,650 feet before descending below 14,000 feet.Flydubai confirms safe landingThe aircraft eventually diverted to Tabuk Regional Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely at around 6:45 UTC. Saudi security forces reportedly surrounded the aircraft following its arrival.Israeli authorities later determined that the incident was not a hijacking, although the circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation remain under investigation.Flydubai confirmed that flight FZ1073 had experienced an “incident” and landed safely in Tabuk.The airline said all passengers were “safe and accounted for” and that it was working with the relevant authorities.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.