FlyDubai FZ1073: Pilot stabs co-pilot in alleged plot to crash Tel Aviv flight
A FlyDubai pilot allegedly stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to crash flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers stormed the cockpit and off-duty pilots landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Passengers overpower pilot aboard FlyDubai jet amid alleged hijack attempt
A pilot on board FlyDubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, allegedly stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to deliberately crash the aircraft, Dublin Live reports. The incident triggered an emergency hijack alert and prompted passengers to storm the cockpit mid-flight.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one of the pilots "stabbed the other pilot and apparently tried to crash the plane." The jet was carrying approximately 150 passengers when the emergency code 7500 — the international signal for a possible hijacking — was transmitted.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as an "attempted jihadist terror attack." He credited its failure to the "bravery of several Israeli passengers, who broke into the cockpit, overpowered the terrorist and, with their own hands, restored control of the plane to another flight crew who was present there." Witnesses on board reported screams ringing out in the cabin before passengers acted.
Two off-duty pilots travelling on the aircraft as part of a crew repositioning arrangement were then brought forward to take control. One of the two is believed to be British, according to The Mirror. The Jerusalem Post had earlier reported that passengers intervened to prevent the jet from "diving."
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled in response to the 7500 alert. The aircraft was seen descending rapidly, dropping approximately 17,000 feet, before it was diverted. It ultimately landed at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Flights at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv were subsequently suspended, and Netanyahu and Katz held an urgent security consultation.
The suspected pilot is believed to be from Oman; the co-pilot who was stabbed is reported to be from the UAE.
In a statement, FlyDubai confirmed that an "altercation" occurred on the flight deck. "The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport," the airline said, adding that all passengers and crew are safe and accounted for. Two replacement aircraft were dispatched to Tabuk to bring those involved home.
The airline said the incident has "no impact" on other scheduled flydubai services. On the question of motive, the carrier urged caution: "At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts."
Source: Dublin Live