Why four pilots were aboard flydubai flight when the attempted hijacking began - exclusive

The additional pilots were added to the flight because possible regional rerouting could extend the journey and push the original crew beyond permitted duty hours.

There were four flydubai pilots aboard flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when an alleged terror attack inside the cockpit sent the aircraft plunging thousands of feet and ultimately forced it to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft before passengers and crew intervened. The flight transmitted the international 7500 code for unlawful interference, initially prompting fears of a hijacking, and Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as the crisis unfolded.

Now, The Jerusalem Post can confirm why two other pilots were aboard.

The additional pilots had been placed on the flight because possible regional rerouting could extend the journey and push the original crew beyond permitted duty hours, a person familiar with the matter told the Post.

Their presence was unrelated to any advance security warning.

“If something happened over Kuwait and they told you to reroute, then you’re putting one hour, two hours extra on the flight,” the person said. That could leave the original crew unable to operate the return flight within its permitted hours.

That is why there were four pilots aboard.

As the attack unfolded, that routine staffing decision suddenly became critical.

An Israeli passenger who helped respond to the incident told the Post that passengers seated near the front rushed toward the cockpit after the attack began and the aircraft started losing altitude.

He then realized the two additional pilots were sitting farther back.

“I had to shake them to get them to move to the front and take control of the plane, because it was diving,” he told the Post.

One of the additional pilots took control of the aircraft, passenger tells 'Post' 

According to the passenger, one of the additional pilots reached the cockpit and took control of the aircraft, while the second initially appeared to be in shock.

The passenger said Israeli passengers fought the attacker and managed to restrain him, eventually using charging cables to tie him up. An Israeli dentist aboard the flight treated the badly wounded pilot.

Flight-tracking data showed the Boeing 737 dropping nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before the first emergency signal was transmitted. The aircraft eventually diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where the suspected attacker was detained.

Flydubai confirmed that an altercation had taken place on the flight deck and said flydubai crew traveling aboard the aircraft secured the plane, diverted it and landed safely. The airline has cautioned against determining a motive while the incident remains under investigation.

Israeli officials have described the incident as a deliberate terror attack. Defense Minister Israel Katz called it an “attempted jihadist terror attack,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the passengers and crew had prevented a major disaster.

Event highlights flydubai's role in on the Israel route

The episode also underscored flydubai’s unusual role on the Israel route.

Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, flydubai has been among the small number of foreign airlines that continued serving Israel through significant periods when major international carriers suspended flights. Etihad, the other major UAE carrier flying to Israel, also maintained service during parts of the war.

Operating through repeated regional disruptions has meant preparing for routes that can suddenly become longer.

On Wednesday, that precaution meant four pilots were aboard FZ1073.

When one pilot was badly wounded and another allegedly tried to bring the plane down, the two men sitting in the cabin were suddenly needed to fly it.