The stabbing began when a pilot in the cockpit opened the door and struck Captain Smit Machchhar with a knife, plunging the aircraft into a 14,000‑foot drop over 37 seconds. Passengers heard screams and saw blood on the floor as the injured pilot was pulled out, and the plane entered a steep dive that terrified everyone on board.
Within seconds, two other pilots seized control, halted the spin and stabilized the aircraft. The flight crew managed to bring the jet down safely at a Saudi airport, after which passengers were transferred to Tel Aviv.
Israeli authorities say the assailant attempted to sabotage the aircraft systems. The suspect, arrested in Saudi custody, is being questioned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who confirmed the arrest.
When the aircraft transmitted the emergency code 7700, Israel scrambled military jets in case of a hijacking. The code was later changed to 7500, indicating unlawful interference, and the jets were released.
Passenger Daniel, who shouted “It felt like 9/11 again,” recalls the terror of the moment. His story echoes the fear that the world still lives with the memory of the September 11 attacks.