Off-duty pilots help land Flydubai plane after pilot-on-pilot attack PHOTO / VIDEO / Updated

Pilots from Ukraine and Russia who were travelling as passengers on a Flydubai flight helped land the aircraft after one pilot attacked another, Israel Hayom reported.

Earlier reports said that the two pilots involved in the knife fight were from Ukraine and Russia. However, that information was subsequently refuted. Reports citing Israeli media said an additional crew of pilots was travelling on the flight as passengers and took control of the aircraft after the incident.

12:58

A confrontation between two pilots on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has been described by an Israeli official as a possible attempted terror attack, according to SHOT.

Israeli journalist Amit Segal, citing a senior Israeli official, reported that the co-pilot had allegedly tried to seize control of the aircraft and crash it with passengers on board. The official said the co-pilot had allegedly stabbed the captain several times before crew members and passengers entered the cockpit and restrained him.

A passenger later told Israeli outlet i24NEWS that passengers intervened after a fight broke out between the pilots following the aircraft's landing in Saudi Arabia. She said one of the pilots had attempted to stab the other and that passengers managed to bring the situation under control.

Earlier reports said the pilots were Ukrainian and Russian and suggested that one of them had attempted to send the aircraft into a steep descent. Those reports have not been independently verified.

Israeli media have also published footage apparently showing one passenger with blood on his clothes after becoming involved in the confrontation.

The co-pilot is being questioned, while investigators are examining the circumstances of the incident, including his possible motives and whether it was an attempted terror attack.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was taking all necessary measures to ensure the safe return of the passengers, adding that the situation was under control.

11:56

A Flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an emergency alert was transmitted during the flight, with Israeli media reporting that the aircraft’s Ukrainian and Russian pilots had fought.

The Boeing 737 was carrying about 180 people, including around 150 Israelis. The aircraft initially transmitted code 7700, indicating an emergency, before sending code 7500, which is used to signal a hijacking, according to foreign media.

Israel scrambled two fighter jets to escort the aircraft. It was later diverted towards Saudi Arabia and landed safely, after which Israeli airspace was reopened.

According to Israeli media, the hijacking alert may have been linked to a confrontation between the pilots in the cockpit. The reason for the reported fight remains unclear.

A passenger later told Israeli outlet i24NEWS that the pilots had fought and that one of them allegedly attempted to stab the other. Israeli passengers intervened, restrained the attacker and brought the situation under control, she said. One of the pilots was receiving medical attention.

Earlier reports alleged that one of the pilots had attempted to bring down the aircraft by putting it into a steep descent from about 30,000 feet. The aircraft reportedly descended to 15,000 feet before the second pilot intervened and prevented a further incident. The account has not been independently confirmed.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was taking all measures to ensure the safe return of passengers and that the situation was under control.

By Aghakazim Guliyev