Flydubai flight FZ 1073, scheduled to depart from Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion International Airport, diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an on‑board incident.
Flight‑tracking data released by AFP shows the aircraft plummeted from 34,000 feet to 17,000 feet within roughly one minute, an abrupt descent that left passengers stunned.
Times of Israel, citing Walla, reports that the pilot under investigation is an Omani national, while Channel 12 adds that two other pilots in civilian clothing were aboard as passengers and intervened.
Passengers recount hearing screams and spotting blood in the cockpit; one identified as Noam said he saw a pilot being stabbed before the plane began to dive, a claim that has yet to be corroborated by the airline.
Israeli fighter jets were dispatched to intercept the aircraft amid fears of hijacking, but the Prime Minister's Office confirmed that Netanyahu had consulted with defence officials and that the threat was later dismissed.
The incident remains under investigation; flydubai has dispatched a replacement aircraft to transport stranded passengers to Tel Aviv and will issue further updates once authorities confirm details.