A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a sudden and drastic plunge of 18,000 feet after one of its pilots was stabbed by the co-pilot.
What happened
Terrified passengers, including children, were seen screaming and clutching their seats as the plane tilted at an angle. Some passengers attempted to make their way to the cockpit, where others were trying to save the stabbed pilot's life and subdue the suspect. The plane was able to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia thanks to the efforts of two off-duty pilots who were on board.
According to Defense Minister Israel Katz, the incident was a suspected jihadist terrorist attack attempt, and the terrorist's intention was to crash the plane with all its passengers. However, the bravery of several Israeli passengers who overpowered the terrorist and restored control of the plane to another flight crew thwarted the attack.
Passengers on the flight reported hearing a struggle and seeing the plane go into a steep dive. One passenger, known as Daniel, described the incident, saying that the plane suddenly went into a very steep dive, nose down, with a very intense spin.
The co-pilot, believed to be an Omani national, was arrested and is being questioned in Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the pilot was arrested and that officials are working to help the stranded Israeli passengers return to Israel.
