FlyDubai pilot arrested after stabbing co-pilot and attempting to crash Israel-bound flight
A FlyDubai pilot stabbed his co-pilot and allegedly tried to crash the plane mid-flight. Passengers overpowered the attacker before two off-duty pilots landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.
FlyDubai pilot arrested after stabbing co-pilot on flight to Tel Aviv
A pilot aboard a FlyDubai aircraft has been arrested after stabbing his co-pilot and "apparently trying to crash the plane," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as reported by bbc.com.
Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport on 30 September, bound for Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, carrying approximately 150 passengers — the majority of them Israeli nationals. Around two hours into the journey, the aircraft dropped from 17,000 feet (5,200 metres) to a significantly lower altitude in under two minutes before being diverted to Tabuk Airport in northeastern Saudi Arabia.
Passengers described chaotic scenes inside the cabin. One witness recounted hearing "terrible screams throughout the plane" before "three to five guys burst into the cockpit" and overpowered the attacker. Another passenger said those on board "took control of the flight" from "one assailant with a knife."
Yasmin Abu Kasis told reporters that her daughter Miriam was aboard the flight and described hearing passengers screaming. Her daughter said a man carrying a knife forced one of the pilots to the floor and that blood was visible throughout the cockpit area.
A passenger who spoke to the Jerusalem Post said fellow travellers seated near the front of the plane helped remove the attacker from the cockpit. The assailant was subsequently restrained. Two additional pilots, who had been seated in the cabin, reportedly came forward to land the aircraft safely.
A dentist on board reportedly provided life-saving treatment to the injured co-pilot during the emergency.
Flightradar24, the flight tracking service, recorded the plane transmitting an emergency code shortly after the incident began. The aircraft briefly switched to a code used to indicate a hijacking before reverting to a general emergency signal. Israeli defence officials, quoted by local media, indicated the signals were triggered by an altercation between the pilot and co-pilot.
Netanyahu confirmed the pilot responsible for the attack had been arrested and said he "salutes the heroes" who "saved many lives and prevented a major disaster." In a separate statement, the Prime Minister said the situation was under control and that efforts were under way to return the Israeli passengers from Saudi Arabia.
FlyDubai confirmed the flight had "experienced an incident" and stated that "all passengers are safe and accounted for." The airline said its teams were "working closely with the relevant authorities" and would provide further updates as additional confirmed details became available. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew remained the airline's "highest priority," the statement added.
Source: Google News UAE — Dubai