Crime · updated 25m ago · 2 min read
Benjamin Netanyahu Says Flydubai Pilot Stabbed Co-Pilot, Tried Crashing Flight Into Israel
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 diverted to Tabuk after cockpit altercation; copilot stabbed captain, attempted crash. Israeli PM Netanyahu called the incident a terrorist attack attempt; UAE and Saudi investigating motives.
Who enters the cockpit and restores control.
7 of 9 outlets skipped it: a passenger used a TV show to steer the plane.
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ABC News
“some passengers worked together to subdue the suspect while another flight crew member was able to take back the plane.”Read the original ↗
927thevan
“Crew members and passengers from the front of the airplane took over and got control of the two pilots.”Read the original ↗
It changes emphasis on passenger heroism versus crew-led recovery.
Cockpit stabbing attempt
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a pilot aboard a Flydubai flight carrying mostly Israeli passengers stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane before passengers and crew subdued him. Netanyahu described the incident as "extremely serious" and said the aircraft went into a spin as it approached Israel. The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the plane plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before transmitting emergency signals, according to flight-tracking data.
Tzvika Mens said he helped overpower the attacker using the cords from complimentary headphones provided to passengers on the flight. Saudi authorities said both pilots were hospitalized after the plane landed at Tabuk Airport, while a Flydubai spokesperson confirmed the flight "experienced an incident" while en route.
Security scrutiny and vetting
Eyal Hulata said Israel’s security focus had traditionally centered on passengers and their luggage, warning that "That will probably change now and crew members will be subject to heavier screening."
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has long-standing agreements with foreign carriers to keep pilots from flying into the country if they are citizens of nations that don’t maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, and he said, "Obviously, there was a loophole here. And we’re taking care of that."
Investigators have not publicly identified the object used to stab the flight's captain or said whether it was carried onto the plane or came from inside the aircraft, while the incident remains under investigation by Saudi, Emirati and Israeli authorities.
Doron Spielman said there were no Israeli air marshals on the FlyDubai flight and that Israel will increase security precautions on flights coming into the country whether or not they are operated by Israel.
Aviation security expert Menachem Bachrach said, "Before we’re jumping to tighten security, I would just say it’s likely that somebody didn’t follow the protocols."
Investigation, threats, and fallout
United States President Donald Trump said Iran would be hit with a "very harsh" strike if it is proven to be connected to the flight crew member who tried to down the FlyDubai plane. Trump told reporters, "They will be struck, and very hard; do not worry," while he said the United States is looking into possible links between the attacker and Tehran. The UAE formed a team of prosecutors specialized in investigating the incident under the direction of UAE Attorney General حمد سيف الشامسي, and the UAE Foreign Ministry said the investigation will examine the circumstances, motives, and whether the incident was linked to any terrorist activity.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior said preliminary investigations pointed to an assault by the co-pilot on the captain, injuring both and transporting them to hospital for treatment. Fly Dubai announced that its flights to and from Israel remain suspended until October 15, according to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, after the attempted attack on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073.