A Flydubai flight carrying about 150 people was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an incident in which passengers reported that one pilot stabbed another.

Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it experienced a dramatic loss of altitude and issued emergency signals before diverting to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

Passengers told Israeli media that an altercation occurred between the pilots and that one pilot suffered stab wounds. One passenger said people on board helped overpower one of the pilots and tie him down, while two other pilots who were travelling at the back of the aircraft came forward to help take control of the plane.

The precise circumstances surrounding the incident have not been officially confirmed.

The company that operates Tabuk Airport confirmed that both the captain and first officer were injured and taken to hospital, but did not say how they sustained their injuries. The airport said air traffic controllers received a distress call from the aircraft at 8:44 a.m. local time requesting an emergency landing. The plane landed safely about an hour later.

Flight-tracking data examined by BBC Verify showed the aircraft was cruising at about 34,000 feet before plunging more than 17,000 feet in less than two minutes.

The aircraft initially transmitted the general emergency code 7700 before later transmitting code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference. It subsequently returned to the general emergency signal before landing in Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai confirmed that the flight had experienced an incident and said all passengers were safe and accounted for after the aircraft landed in Tabuk.

The airline said it was working with authorities and would provide further information as confirmed details became available.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Pilot Reportedly Stabbed During Fight With Co-Pilot on Flydubai Flight.