Passenger says flydubai co-pilot attacked captain during diverted flight

A passenger said a flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain and attempted to take control of an Israel-bound aircraft, prompting its diversion to Saudi Arabia. Miryam Shira Ohayon told reporters that the incident occurred over Jordan during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. She said the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the stabbing took place.

Ohayon alleged that the co-pilot was attempting to carry out a suicide attack and crash the plane. She said passengers restrained him, while a doctor provided first aid to the two pilots. She said no passenger apart from the pilot was injured, but described the possibility of a crash as the main fear during the incident.

Ohayon’s mother, Yasmin Abukasis, said her daughter had been travelling to attend a service for her brother, who was killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Abukasis said her daughter believed the passengers were going to die. She also said another woman saw blood in the cockpit.

According to the account, two other pilots aboard the aircraft took charge and diverted it to Saudi Arabia. The source material attributes the details to passenger accounts and does not provide an official explanation for the incident.