A Flydubai aircraft heading to Israel was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following an attack on the flight deck that left both pilots injured, according to Israeli officials.
The incident unfolded over Jordanian airspace when the co-pilot stabbed the captain, prompting the aircraft to plummet 17,000 feet within two minutes. Crew members rushed into the cockpit and assumed control of the plane. Two relief pilots who had been resting in the cabin then assisted in bringing the aircraft down safely at Tabuk airport at 8:44 a.m. local time.
The plane originated in the United Arab Emirates. An emergency distress signal was transmitted, followed by a hijacking alert shortly after the sudden descent, the BBC reported.
Both pilots were hospitalised. All passengers and crew members escaped injury and were accounted for. Israeli officials identified the suspected attacker as an Omani national.
Travellers aboard experienced severe turbulence and panic. One passenger recounted to Fox News Digital: "Everyone on the plane was screaming, the overhead compartments opened, and the power went out. We were sure we were going to die. It was very scary."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated the matter "is under control, and all measures are currently being deployed in order to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel," without elaborating on specifics.
Israeli officials initially characterised the event as a physical fight between the two pilots and ruled out a hijacking. However, authorities are now investigating whether it constitutes an attempted terror attack, though no official confirmation of that designation has been made public.
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