A flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after an altercation in the cockpit involving one of the pilots.

Israeli officials said the incident may have been an attempted hijacking and that a major disaster was narrowly avoided after crew members subdued the pilot.

The airline confirmed that the crew secured the aircraft but said the motive remains unknown and will be investigated.

The flight, carrying 174 passengers, including 166 Israelis, briefly transmitted emergency and unlawful-interference signals and reportedly plunged about 4,000 meters during the altercation, the Jerusalem Post has reported.

The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia, while Israeli authorities raised their alert level and considered alternative ways to bring the passengers home amid concerns about the incident.