A FlyDubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning following a violent incident in the cockpit where one pilot allegedly stabbed the other and attempted to bring down the aircraft, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli officials.

The flight, carrying mostly Israeli passengers, landed safely in Tabuk, a city in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in a video address that the suspect pilot "apparently attempted to crash the plane with everyone on it," describing a scenario where the aircraft entered a spin and began to dive.

Netanyahu credited the passengers and crew with subduing the assailant. He reported that a passenger managed to break into the cockpit with a crew member, and together they "subdued the pilot who had committed the stabbing while he was attempting to sabotage the aircraft's systems." Another flight crew member then stabilized the aircraft.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the preliminary findings, stating, "According to our preliminary information, the terrorist had a single objective: to crash the plane, killing everyone on board." He commended the passengers who intervened and noted that an investigation into the incident is ongoing. The Israel Aviation Agency confirmed that a repatriation flight was dispatched.

Flight tracking data revealed a rapid descent from 34,000 feet to 16,000 feet over a three-minute period shortly after the flight took off from Dubai at 7:05 a.m. local time. Approximately ten minutes into this descent, the aircraft's transponder code changed to indicate a general emergency. Seven minutes later, the code was updated again, signaling a hijacking or unlawful interference.

Passengers onboard described the plane spinning and diving, a harrowing experience that led to the intervention. One passenger recounted the event to the Prime Minister, highlighting the critical moments that unfolded before the cockpit was secured and the plane stabilized.

Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the security implications of the incident, stating he has "instructed the security establishment to prepare for potential additional threats." The event underscores the vulnerabilities of air travel and the potential for onboard security breaches, even within the cockpit.

Details regarding the motive of the pilot and the full extent of the sabotage attempt are still under investigation. The incident has prompted a swift response from Israeli authorities to ensure the safe return of passengers and to assess potential future risks.