A struggle between the two pilots of a Flydubai 737 Max 8 passenger jet headed from Dubai to Tel Aviv caused the aircraft to plunge more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds and divert to Tabuk Airport (OETB) in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple media reports. While details are still emerging, Israel’s minister of defense on Wednesday called the incident an “attempted terrorist attack.”
The airplane had more than 100 passengers on board and squawked 7700 and 7500, signalling a general emergency and unlawful interference, respectively, after the sharp loss of altitude. NBC News reported the captain and first officer, both of whom may have been stabbed according to passengers, were transported to a local hospital on Wednesday.
