A flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged thousands of feet within minutes on Wednesday after its co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain inside the cockpit, leaving passengers and crew scrambling to respond to the emergency.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation, but investigators have yet to establish a motive for the attack.

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said the alleged radicalisation was based on information found in the co-pilot's personal records.

"We know that he underwent Islamist radical indoctrination," Netanyahu said, without providing further details.

Netanyahu also said the co-pilot had called out to other crew members after being restrained, shouting, "Kill me, kill me".

"It's clear he was suicidal, that's not a question," Netanyahu said, adding that it "looks very likely" the man intended to bring the aircraft down.

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However, he stressed that no final conclusions had been reached.

According to witnesses and officials, the co-pilot stabbed the captain, Capt. Smit Machchhar, an Indian citizen, during the flight. Machchhar survived the attack.

The aircraft subsequently lost several thousand feet in altitude before control was restored. Passengers and crew members rushed towards the cockpit and helped overpower the attacker.

Israeli passengers were among those who helped restrain the co-pilot, according to witnesses. A dentist travelling on the flight provided first aid to Machchhar, who was reportedly bleeding heavily.

Two reserve pilots on board are credited with helping stabilise the aircraft before it was diverted to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Investigation under way

The co-pilot has not been publicly identified. Israeli officials said he is an Omani citizen and was later transferred to Abu Dhabi after being detained in Saudi Arabia.

The United Arab Emirates government said on Thursday that it would lead the investigation into whether the incident was connected to terrorism.

Investigators are yet to determine whether the co-pilot acted alone, what prompted the attack or whether he intended to crash the aircraft, seize control of it or divert it to another country.

Details about the weapon allegedly used in the attack have also not been released. Netanyahu said the captain was either stabbed or struck with an axe.

The incident took place on a flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with the aircraft forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the attack.

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