flydubai's flight FZ107, en route to Tel Aviv from Dubai, saw a life-threatening emergency on Wednesday when a cockpit fight between the two pilots caused it to plunge about 17,000 feet in a couple of minutes. The authorities have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the trigger behind the fight and how the situation unfolded, leading to the stabbing of an Indian pilot by the Omani co-pilot.
The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers, the lives of whom were at stake during the mid-air horror. The plane safely landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after the passengers, off-duty pilots and the Indian pilot of the flight, Smit Mhchhar, managed to isolate the Omani co-pilot and take control of the flight. There have been numerous instances of mid-air crises on flights, but those related to the cockpit are major escalations that pose a significant threat to the safety of passengers and crew.
In recent years, there have been various lapses related to the cockpit.
Jet Airways: pilots physically fight in cockpit
A Jet Airways flight from London to Mumbai saw a violent cockpit episode in January 2018, when after a heated argument, a female captain left the cockpit crying. The male co-pilot also left the cockpit thereafter, leaving the operations in the hands of cabin crew. The flight was over Iranian-Pakistani airspace when the incident occurred.
The DGA had suspended the license of the male co-pilot during the investigation.
Cathay Pacific A350: captain becomes incapacitated
On February 21, 2019, a Cathay Pacific A350 flight from Perth was over the South China Sea; the captain told the first officer that he was unwell and declared himself incapacitated.
The first officer then operated the aircraft as a single pilot. A senior purser assisted according to the operator's procedure, and the flight continued to Hong Kong, where the aircraft landed safely.
Corsair A330: captain loses consciousness twice
A similar incident unfolded on January 17, 2022, during a Corsair flight when the captain became unconscious. The first officer noticed that he was not responding, called the chief purser and obtained assistance from a doctor travelling as a passenger.
Initially recovered, the captain's health deteriorated again after two hours while the flight was over the Atlantic. The doctor suspected a stroke, so the first officer decided to divert to Lajes in the Azores.
Air France: two pilots fight inside cockpit
In June 2022, two Air France pilots became involved in a brawl shortly after takeoff, grabbing each other by the collar.
Cabin crew had to intervene and pacify the situation. Subsequently, a crew member remained in the cockpit for the remainder of the flight.
Lufthansa A321: co-pilot suffers seizure while captain is outside
In a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Seville on February 17, 2024, a co-pilot suffered a seizure mid-air while the captain had left the cockpit briefly.
The tension prevailed as the captain initially could not get into the cockpit after the incident. The aircraft therefore continued on autopilot while the captain attempted to regain access.
He eventually gained access. Finding the co-pilot incapacitated, diverted the A321 to Madrid.
SpiceJet: Holi inside cockpit
A photograph of a SpiceJet flight cockpit went viral, showing a glass of coffee and a gujiya placed on the flight deck console in 2023. The incident triggered massive outrage over safety concerns, following which the airline took the two pilots off duty.
Air India: Pilots nap as flight remains unattended
In April 2013, two pilots allegedly left the cockpit of a Bangkok-Delhi flight while the aircraft was on autopilot. According to a report by The Telegraph, two air hostesses were inside the cockpit while the two pilots had allegedly moved to the business class section for a nap.
Although Air India denied that the pilots had left the cockpit, it said the flight attendants "were in the cockpit for a prolonged period". The airline also acknowledged that "due to distraction, the co-pilot had touched the autopilot disconnect button momentarily."