What happened
A dramatic incident occurred on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a co-pilot from Oman allegedly attacked the captain from the United Arab Emirates with a knife and attempted to crash the plane.
The co-pilot reportedly stabbed the captain multiple times and seized control of the aircraft, sending it plummeting 18,000 feet. However, crew members and passengers intervened, forcing their way into the cockpit and overpowering the attacker.
The plane, which had 174 people on board, including 27 children, made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The captain was left clinging to life, and the plane suffered damage to its steering and a wing.
Israeli officials have classified the incident as an attempted terror attack, and the co-pilot is being questioned. The motive behind the attack and any potential links to a terror group are still unclear.
The incident is notable not only for the bravery of the passengers who intervened but also for the fact that it occurred on a flight bound for Israel, which has not seen a hijacking attempt in over two decades.
