A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an alleged attack inside the cockpit left both pilots injured and passengers fearing the aircraft could crash.
The captain, who reportedly fought off the co-pilot during the incident, is said to be of Indian origin. According to The Times of Israel, the captain is an Emirati citizen, while the co-pilot is an Omani national.
Reports by Israel’s YNet News and Channel 12 said the captain was stabbed but managed to prevent the aircraft from crashing, potentially saving the lives of more than 180 people aboard the flight.
Flydubai flight suddenly loses altitude
Israeli officials believe the incident may have involved an attempt to take control of the aircraft and deliberately crash it.
Passengers told Israeli media that the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain, after which the aircraft appeared to lose control.
Publicly available flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft suddenly descended from around 34,000 feet to approximately 17,000 feet in less than a minute, around two hours and 15 minutes into the flight.
The aircraft subsequently climbed to about 21,650 feet before descending again to below 14,000 feet.
Captain reportedly found covered in blood
Footage reportedly recorded by a passenger showed the captain lying on the floor outside the cockpit with blood visible on his clothing, while passengers appeared to assist.
One passenger reportedly told the person recording the video that an attacker carrying a knife had stabbed one of the pilots.
The passenger said several people intervened, pulled the attacker away from the cockpit, and brought the situation under control.
Passengers storm cockpit after alleged attack
According to Israeli media reports, several passengers entered the cockpit after the alleged stabbing and restrained the person involved.
An Israeli official was quoted by N12 as saying that one pilot stabbed the other and attempted to hijack the aircraft or crash it.
The reports said a number of off-duty pilots travelling as passengers subsequently helped stabilize and land the aircraft.
The flight eventually made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Both pilots reportedly hospitalized
Both the captain and co-pilot were injured during the incident and were taken to hospital, according to reports.
Flydubai earlier confirmed that Flight FZ1073 had “experienced an incident while en route” and landed safely at Tabuk Airport, adding that all passengers were safe and accounted for.
The exact sequence of events inside the cockpit, the motive behind the alleged attack, and the identities and backgrounds of the crew members remain subject to investigation.
