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Mid-Air Mayhem: Off-Duty Pilots Land Plane After Co-Pilot Stabs Captain
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News18•30-09-2026, 18:45
Mid-Air Mayhem: Off-Duty Pilots Land Plane After Co-Pilot Stabs Captain
- •A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a harrowing incident when the Omani co-pilot allegedly stabbed the Emirati captain and attempted to crash the aircraft.
- •Approximately two hours into the flight, the co-pilot drew a knife, stabbed the captain, and tried to seize control, causing the Boeing 737 MAX 8 to plummet 17,400 feet in under two minutes.
- •Cabin crew and passengers intervened, overpowering the rogue co-pilot and tying him down, while the cockpit broadcast emergency codes 7700 and 7500, prompting Israeli Air Force action.
- •Two off-duty Flydubai pilots, traveling as passengers, stepped in to take control of the flight deck and safely land the aircraft at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
- •Both the captain and co-pilot survived with significant injuries; the co-pilot is under investigation for potential suicide attempt or terrorism.
Key Questions Answered
Two off-duty flydubai pilots who were traveling as passengers stepped in to help restrain the rogue co-pilot and take over the flight deck controls, successfully landing the aircraft at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The Omani co-pilot allegedly attempted to intentionally crash the aircraft and seized control of the flight deck, leading to a physical struggle with the Emirati captain that caused the plane to go into an erratic dive.
The aircraft made a safe emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia after cabin crew, passengers, and off-duty pilots intervened and overpowered the rogue co-pilot.
