President Donald Trump said Benjamin Netanyahu told him an Israeli plumber with no flying experience pulled back on the controls of Flydubai flight FZ1073 and leveled the aircraft before other pilots took over. Speaking after a lengthy call with the Israeli prime minister, Trump cautioned: "I don't know if it's true, but that's the story I got from Bibi."

Passenger Yaniv Hayoun had separately told Netanyahu that he put the co-pilot in a chokehold, helped remove him from the cockpit and then pulled back on the controls as the aircraft descended. "I've watched Air Crash Investigation, Prime Minister," Hayoun said, referring to the television series. He said a pilot took over after the plane began leveling out. Flydubai said its crew members traveling aboard secured the aircraft and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Four Americans, all dual citizens, were aboard the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, CBS reporter Olivia Gazis reported. Israeli officials allege the co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to crash the aircraft; Netanyahu said Saudi authorities arrested the suspect. The passengers subsequently reached Israel on a replacement flight. Flydubai has suspended Israel services during the investigation and says the reasons and motives behind the incident remain unknown.