Passenger on rerouted flydubai flight says pilot tried to crash plane

On a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, a passenger reported that one of the pilots attempted to crash the plane, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Both pilots sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. The aircraft abruptly descended from nearly 34,000 feet to under 17,000 feet during the flight. A passenger, Miryam Shira Ohayon, stated that the pilot tried to kill the co-pilot with a knife, causing a disturbance in the cockpit.

Other passengers and a doctor intervened to subdue the pilot, preventing a potential suicide attack. Israeli media reported that two additional pilots were among the passengers and took control of the plane to ensure a safe landing. The incident unfolded while tensions were high in the Middle East, including the ongoing regional conflict and upcoming Israeli elections. Israeli authorities are investigating the events surrounding the flight.