Passengers aboard diverted flydubai flight share details from moment of chaos in the sky

On Wednesday, a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv encountered turbulence and was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia following a violent incident between the pilot and co-pilot. According to an Israeli passenger, Uri, one pilot stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to force him out of the cockpit. Passengers rushed to the cockpit, some fighting the attacker while others managed to remove him from the cockpit.

Two pilots seated at the back remained initially shocked by the unfolding events. One of the pilots took control of the aircraft, while the other required time to recover from the shock.

Uri described the situation as traumatic and expressed hope for a safe outcome. He stated that a dentist among the passengers treated the stabbed pilot, saving his life. The aircraft had initially vanished from flight-tracking systems, causing concerns that it might have been hijacked. However, after several tense moments, the true nature of the incident became apparent, and the plane was safely brought to the ground in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli travelers aboard the flight played a crucial role in the situation, separating the two pilots and preventing further violence. Passengers later learned that the motive behind the attack remains unclear. Emergency services are now working to return the passengers to Israel. In Israel, family members anxiously awaited news about loved ones who were on the diverted flight.

One resident of a kibbutz in northern Israel described her mother's harrowing experience, including the initial difficulty in reaching her due to the lack of reception at the Lev HaMifratz train station near Haifa. She expressed trust in the security forces and the Saudi authorities, hoping for a swift resolution to the ordeal.