An Israel-bound passenger plane had to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia Wednesday after the co-pilot reportedly stabbed the captain in what may have been an attempted "terror attack," officials told Reuters. Photo: Internet Source

Three Israeli officials told Reuters that the plane’s cabin crew went into the cockpit and had to take over the Flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, safely landing in Saudi Arabia.

Co-pilot may have attempted ‘terror attack’

What we know: According to Reuters, the co-pilot is believed to have stabbed the plane’s captain while the plane was in the air. The plane dropped 17,000 feet in altitude in just two minutes over Jordanian airspace.

According to the BBC, the plane sent an emergency signal and then a hijacking warning shortly after the rapid descent. 

Passengers told Israeli news outlets that two relief pilots were seated in the back of the plane, and they were able to take over to help land safely at Tabuk airport at 8:44 a.m. local time.

What they're saying: "Everyone on the plane was screaming, the overhead compartments opened, and the power went out," a passenger told Fox News Digital. "We were sure we were going to die. It was very scary."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office didn't give specifics on the incident, but said it "is under control, and all measures are currently being deployed in order to return the Israeli passengers safely to Israel."

Passengers unharmed

Both the captain and the co-pilot were taken to the hospital. All passengers were unharmed and accounted for, reports say.

Israeli officials told Reuters that the suspected attacker is an Omani national.

Initially, Israeli officials told Reuters that the pilots got into a physical altercation with each other and that it was not believed to be a hijacking.

What we don't know: Israeli officials have not publicly confirmed that it was an attempted terror attack. It’s unclear how many passengers and crew were on board the plane.