Pilot to 'Al Arabiya.net': The injury of both pilots of the 'Fly Dubai' aircraft is a very dangerous situation

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What happens when both pilots of an aircraft are incapacitated at the same time? This question arose following the emergency landing of a Flydubai aircraft at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk on Wednesday, after the captain and co-pilot were injured during the flight.

Tabuk Airport announced that it received a distress call from the flight at 8:44 AM, prompting immediate emergency procedures and raising the alert level in preparation for the aircraft's arrival.

The Emirati aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, after a flight that was headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to circulating media reports, the emergency situation arose from a dispute between the pilots, although the circumstances of the incident have not yet been officially clarified.

In an interview with Al Arabiya.net, Captain Pilot Hassan Al-Ghamdi described this scenario as "extremely dangerous," explaining that the safety of the flight crew is directly linked to the safety of the aircraft and passengers. He noted that a distress call does not necessarily mean that the crew is unable to continue the flight, as it may be issued when time becomes critical to protect the life of a passenger or crew member.

Al-Ghamdi said: "When we talk about the injury of the pilot or co-pilot, we are facing a major problem. What about the injury of both together? This becomes extremely dangerous, especially in light of what the circulated videos showed after the landing."

He explained that the safety of the pilots during the flight is a fundamental element in the safety of the aircraft and those on board, pointing out that there are precautionary measures aimed at reducing the likelihood of the flight crew encountering the same health issue during the flight.

He continued: "If we take into account the procedures that prevent pilots from eating the same meal on board the aircraft, in anticipation of poisoning, we will realize the importance of the pilots' safety during the flight, as it directly affects the safety of the aircraft and those on board."

Regarding the procedures followed when sending a distress call, Al-Ghamdi clarified that the priority is to secure the aircraft and the safety of those on board, regardless of the political circumstances related to the flight or its destination.

He said: "When a distress call is sent from an aircraft, regardless of any political circumstances, full service is provided to the aircraft by the state that received the call, ensuring its safety and the safety of those on board."

He added that the flight crew begins to prepare the aircraft for landing in such cases, in addition to determining the appropriate route to the alternate airport, depending on the nature of the situation and the surrounding circumstances.

Regarding the safe landing of the aircraft despite the injury of the captain and his assistant, Al-Ghamdi pointed out that reports circulating in the media about the presence of another pilot on board the flight, if confirmed, could be an important factor in successfully completing the landing.

He said: "What the news agencies reported indicates the presence of another pilot on board the flight, and this could have a significant impact on the safe landing of the aircraft," adding that the circulated clips showed the injury of the pilots, which raises questions about their ability to execute the landing normally.

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk announced that the air traffic control center received a distress call at 8:44 AM on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, local time, from flight number (FZ1073) belonging to Flydubai, requesting an emergency landing at the airport.

After receiving the call, the airport declared a state of emergency and raised the level of readiness to provide the necessary assistance to the aircraft upon its arrival, and after about an hour, the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport at 9:45 AM.

After the landing, it was found that the captain of the plane and the co-pilot sustained injuries, and they were transferred to the hospital to receive the necessary medical care, while the relevant authorities provided care for the passengers in the passenger lounge. Coordination was also made with the airline to secure a replacement aircraft for the passengers.

Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport confirmed its commitment to the regulations and instructions issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, in accordance with the relevant international treaties and agreements concerning the safety of air navigation, passengers, and cabin crews, noting that the competent authorities continue their investigations to determine the circumstances of the incident.