What happened
A Boeing 737 plane heading to Tel Aviv, Israel, experienced a sudden plunge of 16,000 feet due to an alleged hijacking attempt. According to law enforcement officials, a co-pilot stabbed the other pilot in a 9/11-style attempt to take control of the plane. Cabin staff and passengers quickly intervened to neutralize the attacker.
The plane, which took off from the United Arab Emirates with 174 passengers, was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. Two off-duty European pilots completed the landing, and the alleged co-pilot terrorist was arrested and is being questioned by Saudi authorities.
Passengers recorded cellphone videos of the incident, showing some with blood on their clothing from confronting the attacker. The flydubai spokesperson stated that the underlying reasons and motives behind the event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation.
