![[Fadel SENNA / AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/183635848/480b5ab052108a55ae5277456ae8695606ae6f0e07c1e32c512d0b3aeb327b74)
![Jack GUEZ / AFP [Jack GUEZ / AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/183800956/ecce5b4a37546b73251a994a3801219dfd6c74d85719a2558f77a42e8d1abd01)
Overview
- A Flydubai Boeing 737 bound for Tel Aviv was diverted and made an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia after a sudden loss of altitude and the transmission of emergency codes.
- Passengers and two professional pilots traveling on the flight reportedly intervened in a violent cockpit struggle in which one pilot is alleged to have stabbed the other, and the wounded pilots were hospitalized.
- Israeli officials described the episode as a possible terror attempt and said a suspect pilot was detained and is being questioned by Saudi authorities.
- On Thursday the United Arab Emirates opened an official investigation to determine whether the incident was terror-related and Flydubai suspended services to and from Israel while investigators verify evidence.
- The event, which passengers say occurred on Wednesday, has heightened security concerns because of current regional tensions and complicates diplomatic and operational issues between Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.