A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged 14,300 feet in 30 seconds after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain over northern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning.
Indian captain Smit Machchhar fought back despite serious injuries and opened the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and land safely in Tabuk.
Machchhar underwent surgery and is in stable condition, while Saudi authorities arrested the other pilot involved in the incident.