Saudi authorities have confirmed that both the captain and first officer of the flydubai flight diverted to Tabuk were injured during Wednesday’s dramatic mid-air incident and were transported to a hospital following the emergency landing.

The company operating Tabuk Airport said the Tel Aviv-bound aircraft landed at 9:45 a.m. local time, at which point “its captain and copilot were found to have injuries and were transported to hospital.”

The airport said the passengers were provided with the necessary care following the landing.

The Saudi statement did not explain how either pilot was injured or characterize the incident as terrorism.

Israeli officials investigating the extraordinary episode, however, increasingly believe the copilot attacked and stabbed the captain before attempting to crash the aircraft, according to Israeli reports.

Passengers aboard the flight have described overpowering and restraining the alleged attacker as the aircraft experienced a terrifying plunge before eventually landing safely in Saudi Arabia.

B’chasdei Hashem, the passengers safely disembarked following the landing.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)