A flydubai flight carrying mostly Israeli passengers made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an alleged attack in the cockpit.
Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred.
According to Israeli officials, the Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Indian pilot and attempted to crash the aircraft.
Officials said the aircraft lost nearly 14,000 feet of altitude in less than 30 seconds during the struggle.
Passengers Overpower Co-Pilot
Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot, according to Israeli officials.
Two additional flydubai pilots who were travelling as passengers then took control of the aircraft.
They safely landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The flight was carrying 174 people, most of whom were Israeli nationals.
More than 10 hours after the incident, the passengers reached Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport on a replacement flydubai aircraft.
Both Pilots Hospitalised
Israeli officials identified the captain as Indian national Smit Machchhar.
Officials said the captain was found covered in blood after allegedly being stabbed.
The co-pilot was reportedly attacking the aircraft’s control panel when passengers entered the cockpit.
Saudi authorities hospitalised both pilots following the incident.
An Israeli ambulance service said a 51-year-old passenger was also treated for upper-body injuries. His condition was described as mild.
Motive Under Investigation
The motive behind the alleged attack remains under investigation.
Flydubai confirmed that an altercation occurred in the cockpit but urged caution against speculation about its cause.
Israeli authorities have also announced tighter security checks for pilots operating flights to Israel following the incident.
