Flydubai 737 MAX diverts to Tabuk after cockpit struggle; Israel calls it attempted hijacking

A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX bound for Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday morning after a struggle in the cockpit. Israeli officials described it as an attempted hijacking.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one of the pilots stabbed the other, then tried to bring the aircraft down with everyone aboard. He called the passengers and crew who stepped in "heroes."

People on board told media outlets and investigators that a pilot attacked the other, then struck the controls. The airplane lost more than 17,000 feet in seconds, they said.

Passengers near the front and crew members heard the fight, overpowered the attacking pilot and called on two off-duty pilots travelling as passengers. Those two took the controls and landed the 737 at Tabuk. Others tried to help the injured pilot, who was moved from the flight deck into the cabin.

The flight had departed for Ben Gurion International Airport and arrived at Tabuk unexpectedly. No passengers were reported injured.

Israeli passengers were later flown from Tabuk back to Tel Aviv, where Netanyahu met them.

Reuters reported that the pilot accused in the attempt is an Omani national and the other pilot is an Indian national. Both were taken to hospital after arriving in Tabuk.