A Flydubai flight was diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia after what authorities and news reports describe as a serious altercation between the aircraft's two pilots mid-flight.
According to a South African newspaper report cited by regional outlets, a South African pilot and his New Zealand colleague were involved in an incident in which the lead pilot was reportedly injured by his co-pilot before the aircraft was brought down safely. International news bulletins have also reported that investigators are now examining the co-pilot's background, including reported concerns about his views, as part of the effort to understand what happened on board.
Flydubai, the Dubai based low cost carrier, operates a large network of routes across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe, and incidents involving flight crew are exceptionally rare given the extensive screening and training pilots undergo before being allowed into a cockpit. Aviation authorities in the region are expected to conduct a full investigation into the circumstances, including the crew's medical and psychological evaluations and the chain of events that led to the emergency landing.
Because this remains an active investigation with limited official detail released so far, the full picture of what occurred, and why, is still emerging. Passengers and crew reportedly landed safely, and the aircraft was diverted without further incident.
Flydubai has built its business on connecting Dubai to smaller and secondary cities across the region that larger carriers often skip, operating a fleet of narrow body jets on shorter regional routes. Commercial airlines worldwide maintain strict protocols, including background checks, recurring psychological assessments and cockpit procedures requiring two qualified pilots at all times, precisely to guard against the kind of rare in-flight emergency this incident represents. Aviation regulators will likely use the findings from this case to review whether any additional safeguards are warranted.
Expect further statements from Flydubai and aviation regulators in the UAE and Saudi Arabia as the investigation proceeds, along with more detail on the health of the injured pilot.
Was anyone seriously hurt?
Reports say the lead pilot was injured during the altercation, though the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
What caused the incident?
The exact cause has not been officially confirmed; reports indicate authorities are examining the co-pilot's background as part of the investigation.