Pilot stabbed, blood in cockpit: Passengers recall harrowing ordeal on Flydubai flight that nearly crashed
Passengers on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv reported a violent incident where a pilot was stabbed, causing the plane to dive. The flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, and authorities are investigating the attacker, identified as an Omani national.
Why it matters
The incident raises significant aviation security concerns and highlights the potential for mid-air violence to cause catastrophic outcomes.
Passengers aboard a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv described scenes of panic in the air after screams erupted on board, a pilot was reportedly stabbed and the Boeing 737 MAX suddenly went into a steep dive before eventually making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.“We heard screams on the plane. Then they opened the cockpit and we saw blood, and someone had stabbed the pilot with a pocketknife,” an Israeli passenger told Channel 12, describing the moments after the incident broke out.Another passenger, who identified herself as Noam was quoted by Times of Israel, stating passengers realised something was wrong as the screams spread through the cabin.“Screams began on the plane… by passengers who realized what was happening,” she said, adding that they understood one of the pilots had been stabbed and seriously wounded and that the aircraft had lost control and begun to dive rapidly.The passengers said…
Also covering this story
3 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in