On a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, a pilot attacked his colleague with a knife, attempting to crash the aircraft. Passengers described initial turbulence turning into terror as the 737 nose-dived over Saudi Arabia, dropping over 17,000 feet in under two minutes. Screams erupted from the cockpit as luggage flew and passengers prayed, fearing death.
Israeli officials and witnesses confirmed the attacker was a pilot who had stabbed the co-pilot. Passengers, including Asaf Rajuan and Shota Musayev, rushed to the cockpit, subdued the attacker using headphone cables, and provided medical aid. Two other pilots in the cabin took control and landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
FlyDubai confirmed an altercation on the flight deck but did not elaborate. The injured pilot managed to open the cockpit door before being assisted. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the crew and passengers for their bravery.
The aircraft sent multiple emergency signals, including unlawful interference, before reversing course. All roughly 170 passengers, mostly Israeli, survived the ordeal, which lasted minutes of extreme terror.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing