A British pilot who was reportedly travelling off duty helped take control of a Flydubai passenger jet after a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain during a violent confrontation in the cockpit, according to passenger accounts and reports from Israeli officials.
The Boeing 737 Max was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the alleged attack unfolded at around 34,000 feet. Witnesses described hearing screams as the aircraft suddenly plunged thousands of feet, leaving passengers fearing for their lives.
Two off-duty pilots reportedly helped regain control of the aircraft, while passengers and crew members allegedly intervened to restrain the suspect.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said the co-pilot had allegedly attacked the captain and appeared to have tried to crash the aircraft with its passengers still on board. The allegations remain subject to investigation.
Passengers Describe Terrifying Mid-Air Emergency
According to accounts from people aboard the flight, a heated confrontation erupted in the cockpit approximately 90 minutes after take-off.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a knife, triggering a struggle that left both men injured. The situation reportedly escalated as the aircraft began losing altitude rapidly.
Flight-tracking data cited in reports indicated that the plane dropped approximately 17,400 feet in just under two minutes, climbed around 5,000 feet and then descended another 7,000 feet.
Passengers said the sudden changes in altitude sparked panic throughout the cabin. Some reportedly forced their way towards the cockpit to help subdue the alleged attacker.
One passenger later described seeing blood inside the cockpit after the door was opened.
“They opened the cockpit and we saw blood, and someone had stabbed the pilot with a pocketknife,” she told Israel’s Channel 12.
“We prayed. There were also moments when we thought we weren’t going to make it out alive.”
Another passenger, who identified herself as Noam, described hearing screams as people realised something was seriously wrong.
She said passengers understood that the captain had been stabbed and that the aircraft had begun diving sharply.
“It was very scary,” she recalled.
Off-Duty Pilots Reportedly Helped Regain Control
Amid the chaos, two pilots who were reportedly travelling off duty intervened, according to passenger accounts cited by The Sun.
One of them was said to be British. Reports indicated that the pilots helped take control of the situation in the cockpit and stabilise the aircraft while the alleged attacker was restrained.
A passenger filmed a video message from inside the plane, making an urgent appeal for assistance.
“Anyone who can hear me, we need help,” he said.
Tracking data also showed that an emergency squawk code was transmitted from the aircraft. A subsequent code 7500, internationally associated with hijacking or unlawful interference, was reportedly issued as the plane entered Jordanian airspace.
The incident prompted a major security response, with fighter jets scrambled to escort the aircraft during its emergency diversion.
The plane eventually landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia at 8.44am local time.
Passengers were later seen applauding and cheering after the aircraft reached the ground.
Netanyahu Says Suspect May Have Tried to Crash the Plane
Speaking to reporters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as an apparent attempt to bring down the aircraft.
“During the flight, as they were approaching Israel, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot and, apparently, tried to crash the plane with its passengers on board,” Netanyahu said.
He confirmed that the pilot accused of carrying out the stabbing had been arrested.
Netanyahu also praised those who had intervened during the emergency, saying their actions had helped prevent a major disaster.
“I salute these heroes, who displayed extraordinary resourcefulness and courage,” he said. “They saved many lives and prevented a major disaster.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said preliminary intelligence suggested that the co-pilot may have intended to carry out what he described as a jihadist terror attack.
An Israeli official speaking to N12 similarly alleged that the suspect had attempted to seize control of the aircraft or deliberately crash it. These claims have not been presented as final findings of the investigation.
Captain and Co-Pilot Taken to Hospital
Both pilots were reportedly injured during the confrontation.
Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Airport said the captain, who was from the United Arab Emirates, and the co-pilot, reported to be an Omani citizen, had been taken to hospital for treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged attack have raised further questions for investigators, including why a pilot from Oman was serving on a flight bound for Israel, given the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
An Israeli official identified that issue as one of the matters being examined, according to CNN.
Authorities have not publicly established all the circumstances surrounding the confrontation or the suspect’s alleged intentions.
Israeli Agencies Launch Urgent Investigation
The incident triggered an extensive security response in Israel, with Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz holding an urgent security meeting as officials assessed the unfolding situation.
Israeli agencies, including Shin Bet, Mossad, the military and the country’s Transportation Ministry, were reported to be involved in the investigation.
A senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that the intervention had prevented what could have been an extremely serious disaster.
Netanyahu also said Israel was in contact with the relevant authorities to help ensure the passengers’ safety and arrange their return to Israel.
Flydubai and Israeli authorities confirmed that the flight had been diverted to Saudi Arabia following a physical altercation between the pilots.
The Sun said it had contacted Flydubai for further comment.
As investigators work to establish exactly what happened inside the cockpit, accounts from passengers have offered a glimpse into the frightening moments aboard the aircraft—and the reported efforts by fellow pilots and passengers to bring the emergency under control.