A FlyDubai co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash a flight to Israel, but was subdued by passengers who then helped land the plane in Saudi Arabia.

A FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. Passengers intervened to subdue the attacker, allowing a reserve crew to land the plane safely in Tabuk. While no passengers were injured, the captain and another crew member were hospitalized with unspecified injuries.

Intervention and Emergency Landing

The incident occurred as the flight, carrying 174 people, approached Israel. According to passenger accounts, the co-pilot attempted to jam the flight controls between the pilot seats. Passengers Yaniv Hayun, Tzvika Manes, and others entered the cockpit after hearing a woman scream about a stabbing. Hayun reported that he and other passengers placed the assailant in a chokehold and used airline earphones to restrain him. Hayun, who stated he learned how to stabilize a nose-diving aircraft from a television show, assisted in pulling up the steering controls to level the plane. The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, landing at a civilian airport located near a military base. Passenger Asaf Rajuan, who also participated in subduing the attacker, recorded a video from the plane confirming that passengers were safe but the pilot required medical attention. Saudi authorities confirmed that two crew members were hospitalized following the altercation.

Official Investigation and Motive

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalization, though he noted that it was too early to confirm if the attacker had external connections or if he was acting alone. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the event as an attempted jihadist terror attack. An Israeli security official indicated that authorities are investigating whether the incident was intended as a Sept. 11-style attack. Despite these characterizations, Netanyahu also noted that the co-pilot appeared to be suicidal and that a definitive motive remained under investigation. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has nominated several passengers, including Yaniv Hayun, Tzvika Manes, Tali Manes, and Dr. Shota Musaev, for the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for their actions during the flight.