What happened
A Flydubai plane experienced a sudden descent of over 17,000 feet after one pilot was stabbed by another in an attempt to seize control of the flight. The incident occurred around two hours into the journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers and crew were able to overpower the attacker and retake control of the plane, which was then safely landed.
A passenger, Adam Polovincik, described the scene on the plane, saying there was a huge degree of panic as the plane rapidly lost height. He hugged his children tightly and tried to stay calm, telling them everything would be all right. Polovincik praised the pilot who was stabbed and the passengers who fought off the attacker, calling them true heroes.
The stabbed pilot is in a stable condition in hospital, while the alleged attacker has been arrested. The incident is being investigated, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating it is too early to say whether Iran was involved. However, he noted that the alleged attacker had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination.
The flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where the passengers were treated well and provided with food and water. The passengers were later taken to Tel Aviv on another flight, where they were greeted by crowds of onlookers.
