Passengers and crew members subdued an attacker and regained control of a plane bound for Israel after a pilot was stabbed mid-flight, forcing an emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia, Israel's leader says.
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Key facts
- A pilot was stabbed on a flight headed to Israel, Israel's leader said.
- The plane went into a spin and began to plunge during the incident.
- Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and subdued the attacker.
- The flight was diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia.
- The account was attributed to Israel's leader, as reported by NPR.
A flight bound for Israel was thrown into chaos when a pilot was stabbed mid-air, sending the aircraft into a spin before passengers and crew intervened, according to an account from Israel’s leader reported by NPR.
As the plane began to plunge, passengers and crew members made their way into the cockpit, subdued the pilot who carried out the attack and worked to regain control of the aircraft, Israel’s leader said, according to NPR.
Following the struggle, the flight was diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia rather than continuing to its intended destination in Israel.
NPR reported the details based on statements from Israel’s leader. The report did not specify the number of people on board, the extent of injuries, or further details about the attacker’s identity or motive. The precise circumstances of how the pilot was both stabbed and subdued were not detailed in the source.
The account describes a swift response by those on board, who moved to intervene as the aircraft lost control during the mid-flight emergency.
Why it matters
In-flight security incidents are rare but can endanger everyone on board. The reported intervention by passengers and crew highlights the role bystanders can play during an aviation emergency, though key details of the incident remain unconfirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on the flight to Israel?
According to Israel's leader, as reported by NPR, a pilot was stabbed during the flight, causing the plane to spin and begin to plunge before passengers and crew subdued the pilot.
Where did the plane land?
The flight was diverted and landed in Saudi Arabia, according to the account reported by NPR.
Who stopped the attacker?
Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and subdued the pilot, Israel's leader said.
Timeline
- On flight to Israel, pilot is stabbed, plane plunges before passengers tackle attacker
NPR News: As the plane went into a spin and began to plunge, passengers and crew members got into the cockpit, subdued the pilot and diverted the flight to land in Saudi Arabia, Israel's leader says.