WATCH: flydubai passenger tells how British pilot helped save plane

A passenger aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 has described how two relief pilots stepped in during a violent cockpit incident and helped bring the aircraft safely down in Saudi Arabia.

Almog Itali told Israeli media that the two pilots had been travelling at the back of the plane and were due to operate a later flight.

He said one was British and the other European.

The Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday, 30 September, after a confrontation between the pilots sent the aircraft into a rapid descent.

Passenger describes dramatic intervention

Itali described two pilots in the cockpit when the incident unfolded, with another two relief pilots travelling on board. “There were two pilots in the front, one stabbed the other.”

The two relief pilots were due to operate a later flight and reportedly stepped in once the cockpit drama erupted.

According to Itali, one of them was British.

He described how they entered the cockpit, pulled the aircraft out of its descent, stabilised it and helped land it safely in Saudi Arabia.

The passenger also claimed the cockpit door was open during the incident, although it remains unclear whether crew members opened it to get help or whether it was forced open.

flydubai has not publicly confirmed the exact sequence of events inside the cockpit.

flydubai plane plunged thousands of feet

Flight-tracking data showed the Boeing 737 Max losing around 17 400 feet in roughly two minutes before the first emergency signal.

The aircraft transmitted emergency codes during the incident, including a 7700 general emergency signal and a 7500 code used for unlawful interference.

Passengers reported panic in the cabin as the aircraft suddenly dropped.

It was reported that passengers, assisted by a crew member, managed to get into the cockpit and overpower the co-pilot before a second set of pilots safely landed the plane.

What happened aboard flight FZ1073?

The flight left Dubai for Tel Aviv before the cockpit incident forced an emergency diversion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft.

He said passengers and crew intervened before other pilots took control and brought the aircraft safely into Saudi Arabia.

flydubai has confirmed an altercation involving the flight crew, but has not independently confirmed that the co-pilot deliberately tried to crash the plane.

The airline said all passengers and crew were accounted for after the aircraft landed.

Plane lost altitude during emergency

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft losing altitude rapidly during the incident before eventually stabilising.

The aircraft also transmitted emergency signals as the situation unfolded, prompting concern about possible unlawful interference.

Passengers later described panic inside the cabin as the aircraft descended.

The Boeing 737 ultimately landed safely at Tabuk Airport.

Saudi authorities took over the investigation once the aircraft landed.

Investigation under way

Authorities are now working to establish exactly what happened in the cockpit and what triggered the confrontation between the pilots.

The motive behind the alleged attack remains under investigation.

flydubai arranged onward travel for the passengers after the emergency landing.

The airline has urged against speculation while investigators establish the full sequence of events.