A co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv stabbed the captain and appeared to try to crash the plane Wednesday, sending it into a steep, uncontrolled descent before Israeli passengers forced their way into the cockpit, overpowered him, and helped bring the aircraft down safely in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters: Israel's defense minister is calling the mid-air struggle an attempted terrorist attack on a plane full of Israeli citizens — a reminder that threats to Israeli travelers aren't confined to declared conflict zones, even as the region works through separate, fragile efforts to ease tensions with Iran.
Driving the news:
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was roughly an hour from landing at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport Wednesday when a violent altercation broke out between the two pilots — via Washington Examiner
The co-pilot stabbed the captain and then collapsed onto the flight controls, disabling the instrument panel and sending the plane plunging more than 17,000 feet — via Fox News, Washington Examiner
A passenger described the scene: “We began plunging downward for several minutes. Everyone on the plane was screaming, the overhead compartments opened, and the power went out.” — via Fox News
Israeli passengers, including off-duty pilots, broke into the cockpit, overpowered the co-pilot and helped restore control of the aircraft — via Fox News
The jet, carrying dozens of Israeli citizens, triggered hijacking fears and prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets before the plane diverted over Jordan and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia — via Fox News
Both pilots were hospitalized with injuries; no other injuries were reported — via Fox News
By the numbers:
17,000+ feet: how far the plane reportedly dropped during the uncontrolled descent — via Washington Examiner
~1 hour: how close the flight was to landing in Tel Aviv when the altercation began — via Washington Examiner
Dozens: Israeli citizens reported aboard the flight — via Fox News
What they're saying:
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called it an attempted “jihadist terrorist attack,” saying Israeli passengers “broke into the cockpit, overpowered the terrorist, and personally restored control of the aircraft.” — via Fox News
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “one pilot stabbed the other and then tried to crash the plane.” — via Washington Examiner
Flydubai, which has not confirmed the stabbing or the co-pilot's intent, said only: “Our teams are working closely with the relevant authorities.” — via Fox News
The other side: Flydubai has stopped short of confirming the stabbing or endorsing the terrorism framing Israeli officials applied within hours of the landing, and the exact circumstances of the “violent incident” remained unclear even as it was being reported — via Washington Examiner. Saudi and Emirati authorities, who are hosting the plane and its passengers, have not publicly characterized the incident as terrorism.
What's next:
The co-pilot remains hospitalized in Saudi Arabia alongside the captain as authorities investigate what happened in the cockpit — via Fox News
Flydubai and Israeli officials are working to get passengers home from Tabuk — via Fox News
Flydubai says it will share more details “as they become available” — via Fox News
The bottom line: A plane full of Israelis nearly went down over the Arabian Peninsula Wednesday — and by Israeli officials' account, it was saved by the passengers riding in coach, not the men flying it.
Go deeper:
Fox News — “Flydubai passenger says co-pilot stabbed captain before terrifying plunge, emergency landing”
Washington Examiner — “Israel-bound flight forced to land in Saudi Arabia after 'violent incident' between pilots”