FlyDubai passengers reach Tel Aviv after cockpit stabbing diverts flight

Passengers from a FlyDubai flight that was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a violent incident in the cockpit have arrived in Tel Aviv, describing the experience as “very terrifying.”

The Boeing 737 was travelling from the United Arab Emirates towards Tel Aviv when a pilot stabbed the co-pilot while allegedly attempting to take control of the aircraft, according to Israel’s prime minister.

The prime minister also said the pilot intended to crash the aircraft. That account has been attributed to the Israeli leader, and the exact circumstances of the incident have not been publicly detailed in the supplied information.

Passenger and crew member intervened

A passenger and a crew member entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker, according to the reported account. Other crew members then regained control of the aircraft.

The plane made an abrupt emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and landed safely. The co-pilot was detained after the landing, although no further details about the detention were provided.

Many of the passengers were Israelis. They reportedly feared for their lives after the aircraft lost half its altitude in about a minute.

Israeli aircraft scrambled

Israel scrambled warplanes before the aircraft landed because of concerns that the flight might have been hijacked.

The passengers later continued their journey and arrived in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. Their accounts brought renewed attention to concerns about airline security and the potential threat posed by incidents involving flight crew.

The identities of the pilot, co-pilot, passenger and crew member involved were not provided.