Netanyahu says Flydubai co-pilot may have planned to crash aircraft
Israel’s prime minister said the Flydubai co-pilot who stabbed the captain appeared suicidal and may have intended to crash the aircraft. The incident was stopped when the wounded captain opened the cockpit door and passengers subdued the attacker, averting a disaster on a flight carrying more than 170 people.
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds over Saudi Arabia before a reserve crew landed it at Tabuk. Israeli officials identified the co-pilot as an Omani national and said they initially believed he acted alone, while investigations continued into his motive, possible accomplices and any links to terrorism or Iran. The UAE said it was investigating; Netanyahu cautioned that conclusions were not final.
- The captain was stabbed during a Flydubai flight.
- Passengers subdued the attacker and a reserve crew landed safely.
- Investigators are still examining the co-pilot’s motive and possible links.
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A co-pilot stabbed the captain in the cockpit of a Flydubai aircraft whilst in flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The wounded captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker and prevent him from taking control of the plane.
The aircraft, carrying over 170 people, descended rapidly over Saudi Arabia, dropping more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds, before reserve crew members successfully landed it at Tabuk airport. The co-pilot has been identified as an Omani national, and both Israeli and UAE authorities are investigating the attack.
Investigators are examining what motivated the co-pilot, whether he intended to crash the aircraft deliberately, and whether he had accomplices or connections to terrorist organisations. The incident has raised questions about cockpit security and how such an attack could occur on a commercial flight carrying so many passengers.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Flydubai hijacker ‘was suicidal’ and ‘had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination’, Benjamin Netanyahu says”.