Crimeupdated 1h ago3 min read
Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain, Tried To Seize Controls On Flight FZ1073
6outlets comparedA wider view of the story
4 Other1 Asian1 Western MainstreamThis article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Co-pilot attacked the captain in cockpit and attempted to seize controls aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073. Passengers intervened and the aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Save coverage image
www.aa.tr › home › Middle East was read line by line by the Watchdog: 3.3. See the score →
Cockpit attack, emergency landing
Israel’s authorities said a Flydubai flight, Flight FZ1073, made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a copilot allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit and tried to seize control. The incident involved a flight from Dubai, UAE to Tel Aviv, Israel, and the airplane made the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday while investigators worked with Saudi, Emirati and Israeli authorities. The attorney general of the UAE, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said the co-pilot attempted to seize control by attacking his colleague with a crash ax and called the attempted hijacking a “terrorist act.”
“The attorney general called the attempted hijacking a ‘terrorist act.’”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends” that Israel understands the suspect “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,” based on “personal information” collected during the suspect’s ongoing questioning. Israeli sources told CNN that the co-pilot accused of attacking his colleague and trying to seize the controls probably acted alone, and an Israeli official said information from the inquiry suggested the suspect acted alone.
Security gaps and new screening
Eyal Hulata said, “Until this event, the possibility of a threat originating from a pilot or crew member was not considered a likely scenario,” and he added that security efforts “have traditionally focused much more heavily on passengers and their luggage.”
Menachem Bachrach said, “Before we’re jumping to tighten security, I would just say it’s likely that somebody didn’t follow the protocols,” as he described the incident as pointing to a compliance lapse rather than a flaw in the procedures.
Netanyahu said, “Obviously, there was a loophole here. And we’re taking care of that,” during an interview with Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends.”
Israel’s National Center for Passenger Data Analysis issued new directives requiring carriers to submit crew details 48 hours before departure, and the measures were ordered by Netanyahu following a security review.
The Times of India reported that the new directives apply to all incoming and outgoing flights operated by Israeli and foreign airlines, and carriers must provide crew information at least 48 hours before departure.
Competing claims, investigation stakes
Press TV alleged that Netanyahu planned a “false flag” hijacking operation involving an Emirati aircraft to draw the United States into a new war with Iran, and it said the broadcaster based the report on an unnamed “well-informed regional source.” Press TV’s report said the operation was discussed and finalized during a secret visit by Netanyahu to the United Arab Emirates three days before the flight incident, and it alleged Netanyahu was accompanied by several senior military and intelligence officials. Saudi airport authorities said both the captain and first officer were injured and taken to a hospital, and Flydubai said Wednesday that “an altercation occurred in the flight deck” and that crew members secured the aircraft before it was safely diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai later announced that flights to and from Israel would be temporarily suspended while the investigation continues, saying the measure would allow authorities to “establish all the facts surrounding the incident.” Israeli authorities said the incident is under investigation by Saudi, Emirati and Israeli authorities, and the attorney general of the UAE said the attempted hijacking was a “terrorist act.”