The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 used an axe to attack the captain in what the UAE prosecutor general described as a "terrorist attack" attempt, according to the Guardian Middle East.
The incident occurred Wednesday on a flight carrying 182 people headed to Israel. Passengers and crew intervened to stop the co-pilot's attempt to take control of the aircraft. The plane descended 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds during the struggle, damage so severe that part of the rudder tore off.
The UAE prosecutor general characterized the attack as terrorism. According to the report, the co-pilot had been barred from flying by Oman because of extremist views.
The flight landed safely after crew and passengers halted the co-pilot's actions, though the Guardian report does not specify where the plane ultimately landed or provide additional details about the co-pilot's identity or current status.