Stories
Indian Captain Fights Off Co-Pilot Attempting to Crash Flydubai Plane
- •An Indian captain on a Dubai-Tel Aviv Flydubai flight fought off his Omani co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash the aircraft, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the heroism of passengers and crew who helped subdue the co-pilot, preventing a major disaster.
- •The Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers, transmitted emergency signals and made a sharp descent before diverting to Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- •Flydubai confirmed an in-flight incident and safe landing, stating that all passengers and crew are safe and accounted for, with an investigation underway.
- •Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called the incident a "jihadist terrorist attack attempt" thwarted by brave Israeli passengers.
Key Questions Answered
An Indian captain fought off his co-pilot, who allegedly stabbed him and attempted to crash the Flydubai flight, which was carrying 174 passengers. Israeli passengers and crew members broke into the cockpit to subdue the attacker before the aircraft safely diverted and landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
After the aircraft went into a spin and descended sharply, Israeli passengers and crew members entered the cockpit to overpower the pilot who was sabotaging the systems, while another crew member helped stabilize the plane. The flight ultimately made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where all passengers and crew were accounted for safely.
The incident remains under formal investigation by relevant authorities, with the suspect arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized the event as a jihadist terrorist attack attempt, while Flydubai urged restraint from premature speculation while facts are being gathered.
