A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot and attempted to crash the aircraft.

The Boeing 737-8 MAX, operating as Flight FZ1073, landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia after transmitting emergency signals while flying over Jordan.

Passenger Miryam Shira Ohayon said the aircraft was “pretty much out of control” when the incident occurred, adding that the co-pilot attacked the pilot and appeared to be attempting to carry out a suicide attack.

She said passengers intervened, subdued the co-pilot and helped regain control of the aircraft. A doctor also provided first aid to the injured pilots.

Another passenger, in a video recorded inside the aircraft, said those onboard had subdued an attacker and were preparing to land in Saudi Arabia.

The aircraft reportedly transmitted the international 7700 emergency code before transmitting 7500, which indicates unlawful interference with an aircraft, including a possible hijacking. Flight-tracking data showed that the aircraft also descended rapidly during the incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said one of the pilots stabbed the other and apparently attempted to crash the aircraft with everyone onboard.

He praised the passengers who intervened, saying their actions helped prevent a major disaster.

Israeli officials said the incident was being treated as a possible attempted terror attack, although investigations were continuing. The officials said the co-pilot was believed to have attacked the captain before passengers and crew members intervened.

Saudi authorities arrested the suspected attacker after the aircraft landed, while the two pilots were taken to hospital for treatment.

Flydubai confirmed that the aircraft had experienced an incident while travelling to Tel Aviv and landed safely in Tabuk. The airline said all passengers were safe and accounted for and that it was working with relevant authorities.

The incident initially raised fears of a hijacking in Israel, prompting the country to scramble fighter jets as authorities assessed the situation.

Reports said other pilots travelling as passengers helped take control of the aircraft and complete the emergency landing.

The passengers, most of them Israeli nationals, were expected to be transported back to Israel after the incident.

Authorities have continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the cockpit attack and the co-pilot’s alleged attempt to take control of the aircraft.