'Israel's 9/11': 4 things to know about the FlyDubai attack

An Israel-bound FlyDubai flight carrying about 180 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia Wednesday after its Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a knife and tried to take control of the aircraft.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed reports that the co-pilot stabbed the captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, before “apparently trying to crash” the plane.

Netanyahu said a passenger on the flight told him “the plane went into a spin and began to descend” before passengers and a crew member overpowered the attacker and stabilized the plane.

A senior Israeli security official told i24 that Israel is investigating possible Iranian involvement in the attack, adding that “a disaster was averted here that could have become Israel’s 9/11.”

“If it turns out that Iran is behind the incident, it will pay dearly for it,” the official said.

Here are four things to know about the FlyDubai attack and the suspect behind the stabbing.