From ‘What happened?’ to cheers: Inside videos capture FlyDubai FZ1073 ordeal

“What happened?” Passengers aboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 were heard repeatedly asking that question as confusion spread through the cabin during the mid-air emergency. Moments later, after the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia, the mood inside the plane had changed completely with passengers seen clapping and celebrating.

Videos purportedly recorded inside the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight offer a glimpse into how passengers experienced the ordeal, from the sudden confusion following the aircraft's sharp altitude change to the relief that followed its safe landing.

In one video, passengers appear unsettled after the aircraft's sudden drop in altitude. Several are heard asking what had happened, while others are seen leaving their seats and moving towards the cockpit area.

The cabin appears chaotic as passengers try to understand the situation. Some are heard screaming, while others appear to cry or pray. A few passengers can also be heard telling others not to panic as they try to calm those around them.

But even as the situation unfolded, many passengers appeared not to know what was happening inside the aircraft.

The footage captures repeated questions about what had happened, but no clear explanation is heard in response. Passengers continue looking towards the cockpit and asking for information as uncertainty hangs over the cabin.

Mathrubhumi has not independently verified the videos or the circumstances in which they were recorded.

A second video shows a dramatically different scene after the aircraft reached the ground safely.

Passengers are seen clapping and celebrating following the landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. The relief inside the cabin stands in stark contrast to the earlier footage, when passengers were seen crying, praying and trying to make sense of the sudden emergency.

The videos do not establish what was happening inside the cockpit at the time of the passengers' confusion. Reports have separately alleged a confrontation between the pilots, but the exact sequence of events remains under investigation.

Another video reportedly shows two injured pilots and several passengers with what appear to be blood stains on their clothing.

What happened aboard FlyDubai FZ1073?

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with around 180 people on board when it experienced an emergency and was diverted to Tabuk.

The aircraft had transmitted emergency signals during the incident, prompting an Israeli security response and fears of a possible hijacking. Israeli authorities scrambled fighter jets as they tried to establish what was happening.

Israeli officials and media reports later said the emergency followed an altercation between the pilots.

One passenger account said people saw blood after the cockpit door opened and learned that a pilot had been stabbed with a pocketknife.

These claims have not been independently confirmed.

Reports also said passengers and crew members helped restrain the person involved, while other pilots travelling on the aircraft assisted in bringing the situation under control.

The aircraft ultimately reached Tabuk safely.