Pilot accused of stabbing captain on Israel-bound Flydubai flight

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia after a pilot allegedly stabbed another pilot and the aircraft plunged sharply, according to news reports and Israeli officials.

Passenger videos showed the aftermath inside the cabin, including two bloodied men and an alleged attacker restrained on the floor. CBS News identified the wounded captain as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, and reported that the accused co-pilot is of Omani origin.

Eyewitnesses told CBS News that the wounded captain unlocked the cockpit door before collapsing, allowing passengers and crew to enter. Passenger Assaf Rajuan said he fought the alleged attacker in the cockpit before crew members regained control of the aircraft.

Reports differed on the extent and timing of the descent. The BBC said the plane fell 17,000 feet in less than two minutes, while CBS cited preliminary flight data showing a drop of more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds, followed by a climb and another descent.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had “apparently attempted to crash the plane” and credited the captain with helping save 174 people. Saudi authorities were holding and questioning the alleged attacker, CBS reported. Most passengers later continued to Israel on a replacement aircraft, and Flydubai flights to and from Israel were suspended.