Passengers and crew members reportedly intervened to subdue a co-pilot after he allegedly stabbed the captain of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, forcing the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one pilot stabbed the other during the flight and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft.
The plane subsequently experienced a sharp descent, losing thousands of feet in a short period before stabilising. The aircraft also transmitted emergency signals, including the international 7500 code used to indicate unlawful interference.
Passengers reportedly heard screams and saw blood during the confrontation in the cockpit.
Netanyahu said passengers and a crew member managed to enter the cockpit and restrain the alleged attacker. Off-duty Flydubai pilots who were travelling on the aircraft subsequently helped stabilise and land the plane.
The aircraft diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The passengers were later flown back to Israel on replacement Flydubai aircraft.
Israeli officials said the incident raised concerns about a possible hijacking or attempted attack, but the motive remains under investigation. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described it as an attempted terror attack, while Flydubai urged against premature speculation, saying the reasons behind the incident were still unknown.
The suspected attacker was arrested and is being questioned by Saudi authorities. His identity and the precise circumstances surrounding the cockpit confrontation have not been officially released.
The United Arab Emirates’ civil aviation authorities are investigating the incident, while Flydubai has also launched a formal inquiry.
No passenger was reported seriously injured in the incident, although both pilots were taken to hospital for treatment.
The dramatic intervention averted what Israeli officials described as a potentially catastrophic situation, after the aircraft had sharply descended and briefly deviated from its route.
