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Trump Calls Flydubai Co-Pilot 'Terrorist or Whack Job' After Netanyahu Call
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News18•01-10-2026, 03:32
Trump Calls Flydubai Co-Pilot 'Terrorist or Whack Job' After Netanyahu Call
- •Donald Trump spoke with Benjamin Netanyahu about the Flydubai incident, describing the co-pilot as "perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job" who stabbed the pilot.
- •Trump recounted that the injured Captain Smit Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and prevent a crash.
- •An Israeli plumber, with no flying experience, reportedly took control of the aircraft and leveled it out after passengers overpowered the co-pilot.
- •Trump stated he heard this account from Netanyahu and others but acknowledged he had not independently verified all details.
- •The Flydubai aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and authorities are investigating the incident, with the motive remaining unclear.
Key Questions Answered
Donald Trump stated that he spoke at length with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and described the co-pilot as "perhaps a terrorist or perhaps a whack job" who stabbed the pilot during the flight.
The badly injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and overpower the co-pilot. Trump recounted that an Israeli passenger who was a plumber with no flying experience then grabbed the control stick to level out the plane before it crashed.
The Flydubai aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after the reported cockpit altercation. Saudi authorities are currently investigating the incident, and the motive remains unclear.
