The aircraft briefly squawked 7500 (unlawful interference/hijacking code) and contact was reportedly lost. Israeli fighter jets were scrambled, and PM Netanyahu held an emergency security consultation.
The flight landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. flydubai confirmed the aircraft experienced an incident en route on Sept. 30; all passengers are safe and accounted for.
Israeli Channel 12 reports a violent altercation between the pilots, with one stabbing the other and allegedly attempting a 9/11-style attack—either hijacking the aircraft to Israel or crashing it, according to a senior Israeli official briefed on the incident. The plane began to dive before other pilots on board restrained the attacker and regained control.
An additional crew of pilots was aboard for a training exercise and managed to take control. A senior Israeli official called that “the flight’s good fortune — otherwise, we could have been looking at another 9/11.”
The crew reportedly included a Russian pilot and a Ukrainian co-pilot. Israeli authorities are investigating whether the pilot involved in the stabbing is from a Gulf state; N12 says initial indications suggest Omani origin.
Following a situation assessment between the heads of the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad, there is a growing assessment that the incident was an act of terrorism. Ynet reports Israel is now defining the event as a terrorist attack.
Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft dropped 14,125 feet in just 29 seconds.
A plane is expected to be sent from Dubai to Saudi Arabia to pick up passengers and continue to Israel. Israeli forces are on the ground.
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