The copilot who stabbed his colleague piloting a flydubai jet Wednesday has been arrested for trying to crash the packed passenger plane in “a jihadist terrorist attack,” Israeli leaders said.

The suspect, reportedly of Omani descent, stabbed the pilot and plotted to bring down the Boeing 737 Max jet with 174 people on board, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed in a statement.

“According to the initial information in our possession, the terrorist had one intention: to crash the plane with all its passengers,” he said.

Katz credited the fearless passengers on board for subduing the alleged attacker and saving the lives of the passengers, which included 27 children.

“The grave incident on the flydubai plane was a jihadist terrorist attack attempt, which was thwarted only thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit, overpowered the terrorist and, with their own hands, restored control of the plane to another flight crew who was present there,” Katz said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the pilot “was arrested and is currently being questioned” in Saudi Arabia.

“During the flight, as they were approaching Israel, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot and, apparently, tried to crash the plane with its passengers on board,” the Israeli leader said.

“I salute these heroes who demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and courage. They saved many lives and prevented a major disaster.”