‘Whoever is hearing me, we need help’: how flight 1073 survived its 5,000-metre plunge
On morning service from Dubai to Tel Aviv, 150 passengers witnessed a horrific cockpit assault, flight plummet and daring rescue
TL;DR
- Flydubai flight FZ 1073 experienced a catastrophic incident en route to Tel Aviv.
- The aircraft dropped thousands of feet in seconds, prompting an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Reports suggest an altercation occurred in the cockpit, with a co-pilot allegedly stabbing the pilot and attempting to crash the plane.
- Off-duty pilots traveling as passengers intervened to regain control of the aircraft.
- Passengers also played a role in subduing the alleged assailant.
- The plane transmitted emergency signals and made an erratic flight path before landing.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the passengers 'heroes' for preventing a major disaster.
- Flydubai confirmed an 'altercation' but urged against speculation pending an investigation.