Co-pilot stabs pilot as Israel-bound jet plunges 18,000 feet

A Flydubai passenger plane bound for Israel made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the pilot during a mid-air incident Wednesday.

According to the New York Post, the Boeing 737 Max 8 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred, prompting fears of an attempted hijacking.

“One pilot stabbed the other and tried to do 9/11,” an official told Channel 12.

The aircraft reportedly plunged from approximately 34,000 feet to 15,400 feet within 12 minutes as passengers and crew intervened.

“We were either going to crash or be murdered,” one passenger said. “It was like a terrorist attack in mid-air.”

The plane, carrying 174 passengers, landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Flydubai confirmed an incident occurred, saying, “Our teams are working closely with the relevant authorities.”

Israeli authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, while passengers are being placed on alternative flights.