Passengers aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Israel were thrown into chaos Wednesday after officials said one pilot stabbed another and apparently tried to crash the aircraft.
Flydubai Flight 1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a violent confrontation erupted inside the cockpit.
The aircraft reportedly plunged thousands of feet as emergency alerts were triggered.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other and “apparently attempted to crash the plane with its passengers on board.”
Nearly all of the passengers were Israeli, according to officials.
The aircraft was carrying approximately 160 to 180 people.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane abruptly reversed course near the Saudi-Jordanian border.
The jet ultimately diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing at approximately 9:45 a.m. local time.
The situation became even more dramatic when passengers reportedly realized something was seriously wrong inside the cockpit.
Netanyahu said an Israeli passenger described forcing his way into the cockpit alongside a crew member.
The passenger then allegedly helped overpower the attacking pilot while he was attempting to interfere with the aircraft’s systems.
“I salute these heroes, who demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and courage,” Netanyahu said.
“They saved many lives and prevented a disaster.”
Passengers described scenes of panic inside the cabin as travelers rushed toward the front of the aircraft.
One passenger said travelers subdued the alleged attacker and guarded the wounded captain as the plane approached Saudi Arabia.
Videos reportedly recorded aboard the aircraft showed bloodied passengers and an injured man following the confrontation.
The alleged attacking pilot was taken into custody after the emergency landing.
Saudi authorities were questioning him as investigators worked to determine what caused the confrontation.
Both pilots were hospitalized after suffering injuries during the incident, according to officials at the Tabuk airport.
Despite the struggle in the cockpit and the aircraft’s sharp descent, the plane managed to land safely.
A replacement aircraft was later arranged to transport the passengers from Saudi Arabia to Tel Aviv.
Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency service said none of the passengers required immediate medical treatment after arriving in Israel, per Trending Politics.
The motive behind the incident remains unclear.
Israeli authorities are reportedly examining several possible explanations.
Investigators are looking at whether the incident was an attempted attack targeting Israeli passengers or whether it may have been connected to a suicide attempt.
Flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred aboard the aircraft but has released limited information about how the incident began.
A spokesperson said members of the crew were able to secure the aircraft.
The emergency initially raised concerns that the plane had been hijacked.
Flight-tracking information showed the aircraft transmitting emergency code 7700, which indicates a general emergency.
The code reportedly later changed to 7500, used to signal hijacking or unlawful interference.
It eventually returned to the general emergency code.
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled as security officials monitored the developing situation.
Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials also reportedly held emergency consultations while authorities attempted to determine what was happening aboard the plane.
The most serious allegation remains that one of the pilots attempted to bring down the aircraft after attacking the other pilot.
Authorities have not yet publicly determined what motivated the alleged actions.
Officials are continuing to investigate whether the confrontation was ideologically motivated, personally motivated or connected to another factor.
For the passengers aboard Flight 1073, the incident ended without a mass-casualty disaster.
