A Flydubai pilot attempted to sharply direct a Boeing 737 passenger plane into the ground during a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, triggering a struggle in the cockpit as the second pilot tried to stop him with help from passengers.
The airliner issued an emergency 7700 distress code before transmitting transponder signal 7500, which indicates a potential hijacking or unlawful takeover of an aircraft. A witness on board said passengers began screaming when they realized what was happening, describing the ordeal as very scary, according to the Telegram channel Newsach/Dwach.
The passenger plane began rapidly losing altitude while the second aviator fought to regain control of the jet and prevent a crash, calling on people in the cabin to assist in restraining the other pilot.
Aviation Emergency Codes and Cockpit Protocol
In international aviation, flight transponders continuously broadcast four-digit squawk codes to air traffic controllers to communicate an aircraft's status. Code 7700 informs ground radar stations of a general emergency requiring priority handling, whereas code 7500 specifically alerts aviation authorities that an aircraft is experiencing a hijacking or unlawful interference.
Commercial passenger jetliners such as the Boeing 737 feature reinforced flight deck doors designed to secure the cockpit. Standard operating procedures require two qualified pilots to remain on the flight deck during flight, sharing control duties and monitoring navigation instruments.
Flydubai is a government-owned budget airline based at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. The carrier operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, providing passenger flights across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Air travel routes between the United Arab Emirates and Israel connect major aviation hubs across the region.
The eyewitness account was reported by Newsach/Dwach, a popular news channel on the Telegram messaging application that regularly publishes breaking updates and passenger reports from emergency incidents worldwide.
