Here is a timeline of the four hours flydubai flight FZ1073 was in the air as a wounded captain fought off his copilot:
03:05 – Takeoff from Dubai airport. Flight had 182 people on board, most of them Israelis, heading to Tel Aviv.
05:21:09 – The first sign of descent from 34,000 feet.
05:22:40 – The aircraft drops by more than half its height, down to 16,600 feet, the sharpest drop in altitude recorded by data tracking platforms. Three seconds later, it ascends to 21,725 feet.
05:24:29 – Another significant drop to 15,000 feet, the lowest point of the aircraft’s journey, which it maintains until it safely lands more than an hour later.
05:28 – First distress signal, Squawk 7700, a code for general emergency, while flying along the Saudi-Jordanian border.
05:35 – Changes distress signal to 7500 for “unlawful interference,” indicating something more serious like a hijacking attempt or an attack. It lasts for nearly an hour.
05:42 – Aircraft turns west, briefly entering Jordanian airspace. It is then flying at 15,000 feet.
05:46 – Aircraft makes a 180-degree turn and heads southwest to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
06:28 – Squawk code 7700 for general emergency is sent again, ending the “unlawful interference” alert code.
06:58 – Aircraft approaches and lands in Tabuk airport.
