Fight in the Cockpit
Suspected Hijacking: Boeing 737 Changed Course
Unbelievable scenes unfolded Wednesday morning in the cockpit of a Boeing 737: After several distress signals, the plane suddenly changed course and went into a steep descent. A bloody brawl apparently broke out in the cockpit between the pilot and the co-pilot—the latter is said to have attempted to crash the plane.
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen According to media reports, emergency signals were temporarily transmitted that morning. Subsequently, the Flydubai aircraft veered off course from its intended destination, Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
A drop of 14,000 feet in half a minute
The Boeing is said to have entered a manual, steep descent: Within 29 seconds, the aircraft dropped from 30,875 feet to 16,750 feet—a drop of 14,000 feet. That corresponds to about 4.2 kilometers. The aircraft was apparently damaged in the process—images show the plane with part of its rudder missing.
The Boeing then performed a U-turn. According to Israeli media reports, fighter jets were scrambled to intercept and escort the flight.
Here’s what was behind the distress signals:
Both the transponder code 7500 (hijacking) and the code for a general in-flight emergency (7700) are said to have been transmitted as distress signals. According to Israeli media, a violent altercation between the pilots likely took place in the cockpit. Apparently, they were beating each other. A knife is also said to have been involved.
Contrary to initial reports (which were initially confirmed by the airline, among others), the cockpit crew is not believed to have consisted of a Russian and a Ukrainian. According to official sources, the attacking co-pilot was from Oman, and his fellow pilot was from the United Arab Emirates. Several media outlets have since reported details on the possible background of the altercation.
Apparently, the co-pilot tried to forcibly take control of the aircraft. The pilot and other passengers ultimately managed to prevent this. There were 174 passengers on board the Boeing—including 27 children.
A crash was ultimately prevented, and the Boeing landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Authorities initially suspected a terrorist motive, but psychological factors are also being considered, according to reports.
Media reports indicated that the suspect is currently being interrogated in Saudi Arabia. The airline has already arranged for a replacement flight to pick up the passengers and take them to Israel. The investigation into the incident is in full swing.
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