Passengers on a Boeing 737 traveling to Tel Aviv found themselves in a terrifying situation when the aircraft unexpectedly dropped by 16,000 feet due to what was reported as an attempted hijacking.
Law enforcement officials indicated that a co-pilot attacked the other pilot in a bid to take control of the plane, drawing unsettling comparisons to the events of 9/11.
One passenger shared their experience on video, stating, “We’re here during the hijacking of an airplane. At this point, we’ve subdued the terrorists.”
Some recorded footage depicted passengers stained with blood, evidence of their attempts to confront the assailant. Another passenger recounted, “We were either going to crash or be murdered. It was like a terrorist attack in mid-air.”
A spokesperson for flydubai announced that the plane was safely diverted and landed at Tabuk Airport following an “altercation in the flight deck.”
The statement continued, noting that the reasons and motives behind the incident are still unclear and under formal investigation, urging people to avoid jumping to conclusions until more facts are gathered.
Reports suggested that the suspected co-pilot is believed to be from Oman.
Images emerged showing damage to the aircraft’s rudder after it was landed by two off-duty European pilots.
One passenger recounted hearing someone shout “stabbing,” prompting her husband to quickly move to the front of the plane. Alongside other Israelis, they managed to subdue the accused attacker.”
The flight was ultimately diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later confirmed that all passengers were safe and that the aggressive pilot had been arrested and was under investigation by Saudi authorities.
Various videos captured by passengers related to the incident can be found on social media.
