Pilot Accused of Trying to Crash a Plane Carrying Dozens of Israelis
Israeli officials said the co-pilot stabbed the Emirati pilot and tried to seize control, but crew and passengers subdued him.
- On Wednesday, FlyDubai flight FZ-1073 diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent cockpit struggle. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed a pilot stabbed his colleague and attempted to crash the aircraft carrying roughly 150 Israelis.
- Barely 24 hours earlier, Netanyahu warned that "enemies" of Israel might attack ahead of the October 27 election. Security officials are investigating the incident as a potential terror act, though the co-pilot's motive remains unconfirmed.
- Flightradar24 data shows the aircraft abruptly descended from 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in roughly one minute. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker after hearing shouts and experiencing the steep dive.
- Both pilots were hospitalized with injuries at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport. While FlyDubai arranged replacement flights to Tel Aviv, some Israeli passengers refused to board, demanding an Israeli-run evacuation.
- Saudi Arabia, which lacks formal diplomatic ties with Israel, coordinated the emergency landing despite regional tensions. The kingdom has previously facilitated such landings as the war in the Gaza Strip continues to escalate.
101 Articles
101 Articles
Flydubai Pilot Stabbed, Flight Diverted—What We Know So Far
The Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed urgently in Saudi Arabia after one of the pilots stabbed the other. The Israeli authorities did not exclude either a terrorist attack or a suicide act. Benyamin Netanyahu warned, the previous day, about possible attacks before the legislative elections scheduled for 27 October.
Flydubai Pilot Arrested After 'Apparently' Trying to Crash Israel-Bound Plane, Says Netanyahu
The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has been arrested after seemingly attempting to crash the plane after stabbing the pilot, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday.
Indian captain stops alleged sabotage on Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv flight
An Indian captain and passengers reportedly stopped an alleged crash attempt aboard a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv. The emergency diversion to Tabuk is now under investigation as officials piece together the cockpit violence.
The Israeli Prime Minister confirmed that a Flydubai pilot stabbed another pilot while piloting a flight to Israel and attempted to crash the plane, but it was stopped before making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
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