Saudi officials are interrogating a pilot who allegedly stabbed his colleague in the cockpit of an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight.

Press PLAY to hear Richard de Crespigny discuss the FlyDubai cockpit incident

About two hours into the flight, one pilot stabbed the other, causing the plane to plunge 14,000 feet in 30 seconds.

Once the cockpit door opened, passengers and crew rushed in to restrain the attacker and regain control before two off-duty pilots safely landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.

Richard de Crespigny, former Qantas pilot and author of QF32, told 6PR Breakfast hosts Millsy and Mick that had the injured pilot not opened the cockpit door, it would have been a very different outcome.

“If he hadn’t opened the door, the door is so robust and the other pilot might have locked it such that no one would ever have got on board, and then the aircraft would have either been crashed or flown towards Israel,” de Crespigny said.

Hear more highlights below and download the 6PR app on iOS or Android to ensure you don’t miss a thing!

Image: iStock