Passenger on rerouted flydubai flight says pilot tried to crash plane

A passenger aboard a rerouted FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv claimed that one of the pilots attempted to crash the aircraft, posing a threat to everyone on board. The incident occurred after both pilots sustained injuries when the plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israel's far-right national security minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, was the first to report an alleged "terrorist" attack, while passengers reported no injuries themselves.

FlyDubai stated that the plane had safely landed at Tabuk Airport, with all passengers accounted for.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon described the plane as "pretty much out of control" when one of the pilots tried to stab the other during the flight over Jordan. She claimed that the co-pilot attempted to murder the pilot, intending to carry out a suicide attack on the plane. Other passengers, including doctors, helped to neutralize the co-pilot and administer first aid.

The airline and authorities of affected countries have not disclosed further details about the incident or the pilots' nationalities. However, some Israeli media reported that one pilot might have been from Oman and the other from the United Arab Emirates.

Israeli media outlets reported that a struggle between the pilots broke out, leading to a distress signal being activated. Two additional pilots reportedly took over the controls during the emergency landing. The Israeli military scrambled fighter jets in response to fears of a possible hijacking. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held consultations on the matter and was monitoring the situation. The Israeli military confirmed they were "checking" the reports.

Israeli media sources suggested that passengers on the plane stepped in to separate the two pilots during their altercation, and photos emerged of a passenger with a bloodied T-shirt. Authorities are investigating whether one of the pilots attempted a suicide by crashing the plane, with the other intervening to prevent the crash.

The incident occurred during heightened tensions in the Middle East, particularly amid the ongoing regional war that began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Tensions are also rising ahead of Israel's upcoming elections at the end of October. Netanyahu had previously suggested there were indications that Israel's enemies may attempt attacks ahead of the elections, a claim the opposition labeled as "fear-mongering."