Pilot Stabs Fellow Pilot On Flight To Israel Before Passengers Intervene To Stop Attack

A FlyDubai flight carrying 174 people to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia Wednesday after a copilot stabbed the captain in what witnesses and Israeli officials described as an attempted hijacking. Passengers rushed the cockpit during a steep, rudder-damaging descent and helped crew regain control; three passengers were treated for minor injuries after landing.

Israel scrambled warplanes amid hijacking fears before the plane landed safely, and Prime Minister Netanyahu said Saudi Arabia arrested the copilot, who has not been identified. President Trump told reporters he discussed the incident with Netanyahu and speculated the attacker was either a terrorist or, in his words, a 'whack job.'

Passengers who intervened described frantic seconds believing a crash was imminent, with one recalling he grabbed the controls based on what he had seen on television. FlyDubai said on-duty crew ultimately secured the aircraft and diverted it safely.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.