Saudi Arabia launches investigation into Flydubai flight’s emergency landing in Tabuk

Saudi Arabia’s National Transport Safety Center (NTSC) said Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into the emergency landing of a Flydubai passenger plane at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in the northwestern city of Tabuk.

The center said it received a report concerning Flydubai flight FZ1073, which made an emergency landing at the airport Wednesday.

An aviation safety investigation team has begun work and is coordinating with authorities to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, verify aviation safety-related aspects and collect information and evidence, it said.

The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it was diverted to Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai said an “altercation occurred in the flight deck” and crew members managed to secure the plane and divert it safely to Saudi Arabia.

The Dubai-based carrier said all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for, adding that the reasons and motives behind the altercation remain subject to a formal investigation.

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport earlier its Air Traffic Control Center received a distress call from flight FZ1073 at 8.44 am local time (0544GMT) requesting an emergency landing.

The airport said the captain and first officer were injured and transferred to a hospital for medical treatment.

The flight, carrying 174 passengers, reportedly transmitted the international emergency code “7700” and later “7500,” a code used to indicate unlawful interference with an aircraft, including a possible hijacking.

The airport later said all passengers departed at 5.40 pm local time aboard an alternative aircraft provided by the airline.