A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a co-pilot stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane. The incident, described as a "highly severe security incident" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, occurred on flight FZ1073. The plane landed safely, with all passengers and crew on board. Netanyahu said in a video statement that the passengers, mostly Israeli, played a crucial role in preventing a disaster.
According to Netanyahu, the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national by an Israeli official, was arrested after the plane landed. The Israeli leader quoted a passenger as saying that passengers and a crew member broke into the cockpit after the plane entered a tailspin and began to dive. They found the co-pilot trying to sabotage the plane's systems. Netanyahu praised the passengers, saying they "saved many lives" and "prevented a heavy disaster".
The plane transmitted emergency signals, and flight-tracking data showed that it rapidly descended by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before sending a first emergency signal. The incident occurred on Wednesday, and Israeli officials were quick to respond. An official described the incident as not a hijacking, but a "different incident". The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israel's current assessment is that the incident was an attempted "terror attack".
The passengers, mostly Israeli, were credited with helping to subdue the co-pilot. Netanyahu's office released a video statement, and a spokesperson, Doron Spielman, briefed reporters on the incident. Spielman said the incident was not believed to be related to any mental health issue with either of the pilots. The co-pilot's motivations and background are not yet clear.
Saudi authorities will interrogate the co-pilot, who is in custody. The incident raises concerns about airline security and the potential for individuals to pose a threat on flights. The Israeli government and aviation authorities will likely investigate the incident and review security protocols.
The flight, operated by flydubai, a United Arab Emirates-based airline, was headed to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred. The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The airline and Israeli authorities will likely work together to determine the cause of the incident and prevent similar events in the future.
The incident highlights the importance of passenger vigilance and the role that travelers can play in preventing disasters. Israeli officials praised the passengers for their bravery and quick thinking. An investigation into the incident is expected to continue, with Israeli and Saudi authorities cooperating to gather more information.
Key points
- Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot after he stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane.
- The incident is being treated as an attempted "terror attack" by Israeli authorities.
- The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, was arrested after the plane landed in Saudi Arabia.
