A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing Wednesday in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent incident in the cockpit in which a pilot was reportedly stabbed. Two Israeli officials told Reuters the incident may have been an attempted "terror attack."

Emergency in the air

Flight FZ1073 first squawked 7700 for a general emergency and later 7500 for unlawful interference, a code associated with hijackings. Flightradar24 data cited by Reuters showed the aircraft dropping nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds. CNN, citing tracking data, reported a 17,400-foot descent in less than two minutes. 

Israel scrambled fighter jets amid fears of a hijacking. The plane landed safely in Tabuk, and the airline said all passengers were safe and accounted for. Ynet reported 174 people were aboard. 

What is known about the attack

Accounts differ. Israeli officials cited by Reuters said the co-pilot apparently stabbed the captain before cabin crew entered the cockpit and took control. Another official told CNN that the co-pilot tried to stab the pilot and an Israeli passenger helped restrain him. Ynet, by contrast, reported the co-pilot was himself stabbed in the struggle and subdued by the captain with help from passengers. 

One passenger told Fox News there were screams, the cabin went dark and passengers believed they would die. Another said someone stabbed a pilot with a pocketknife and first aid was given on board. Saudi Arabia's aviation operator said both pilots were taken to hospital. 

The terror theory

According to Reuters, Israel's current assessment is that it could have been an attack. The Jerusalem Post added that this is the growing view among Israeli security agencies. An official told CNN one of the pilots was Omani, which has not been officially confirmed. Transportation Minister Miri Regev asked the Shin Bet to halt Flydubai flights to and from Israel, citing unconfirmed reports about the pilot's origin. 

What remains unconfirmed

Flydubai said the aircraft landed safely and opened an investigation, but has not publicly confirmed the stabbing or a motive. A regional official told AP the crew was questioned, without saying whether anyone was detained.