TEL AVIV — A Flydubai flight from Dubai triggered a major security response on approach to Ben Gurion Airport on Wednesday morning after briefly transmitting an emergency code indicating unlawful interference on board.
Flight FZ1073, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration A6-FKF), departed Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 03:05 UTC. After climbing to a cruising altitude of 34,000 feet, the aircraft was scheduling to complete a routine three-hour flight across the region before beginning its arrival sequence into Tel Aviv (TLV).
Events escalated rapidly according to tracking data from Flightradar24:
Emergency Declared (Squawk 7700)
05:31 UTC
The flight crew initially set their transponder to transponder code 7700, indicating a general inflight emergency.
Hijack Code Transmitted (Squawk 7500)
05:38 UTC
Seven minutes later, the aircraft changed its squawk code to 7500—the standard international aviation signal for unlawful interference or hijacking.
Coverage Interrupted
06:11 UTC
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 temporarily dropped off local ground-based Flightradar24 tracking receivers while on final approach.
Satellite Tracking Update
06:28 UTC
Satellite tracking data resumed reception, showing the transponder code had returned to 7700.
The aircraft diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia at 07:00 UTC, parked on remote stand of the airport.
Standard aviation procedures dictate an immediate security response and full isolation of any aircraft transmitting Code 7500 until ground authorities verify the safety of the passengers and crew. Neither Flydubai nor Israeli aviation authorities have yet confirmed whether the 7500 code was entered due to an active security threat or an erroneous transponder input by the flight crew.
Updates
Sources are describing a “violent incident” involving the pilots in the cockpit. According to Channel 12, the aircraft was piloted by a Russian captain and an Ukrainian first officier.
According to Flightradar24, the aircraft dropped from 30,875 feet to 16,750 feet (-14,125 feet in just 29 seconds).
Israeli journalists report authorities are examining whether one flydubai pilot deliberately pointed the plane downward to crash it, in an apparent suicide attempt, before the other pilot fought him off and stopped the descent.
