A Flydubai pilot is in critical condition in a Saudi Arabian hospital following a stabbing incident on board an aircraft in flight, according to reports from the Mash Telegram channel.
The second pilot on board, who reportedly attempted to cause a deliberate air disaster, was arrested by security forces immediately after the plane touched down, airport authorities said.
Both the injured pilot and the suspect were rushed to the hospital for emergency medical treatment, according to an update issued by the operator of the airport in Tabuk where the airliner made its landing.
Attempted crash near Israeli border
Preliminary data indicates that the attacker waited until the airliner was approaching the border of Israel before initiating the violent assault inside the aircraft. Security sources noted that his intended target was believed to be an object or facility located on Israeli territory.
The airliner was successfully brought to safety by off-duty pilots who happened to be traveling on the flight as passengers while commuting for a work assignment. The off-duty flight crew took control of the aircraft and landed the liner safely without further incident.
In commercial aviation, off-duty pilots and crew members frequently travel on positioning flights to reach airports where their scheduled duty shifts begin.
Emergency landing at Tabuk
The plane landed safely at Tabuk Regional Airport, also known as Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport. The aviation facility serves the city of Tabuk, the regional capital of northwestern Saudi Arabia situated in close proximity to the Gulf of Aqaba and the northern borders of Jordan and Israel.
Flydubai is a government-owned low-cost carrier based at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. Formed in 2008, the state-backed airline operates scheduled passenger flights across an extensive route network serving destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
