Australian security agencies have opened an investigation into the period a flydubai co-pilot spent in the country as a student, after he allegedly attempted to take control of an Israel-bound flight with 182 people onboard.
Key facts
- A flydubai co-pilot allegedly attempted to hijack a flight bound for Tel Aviv.
- The flight had 182 people onboard and plunged 16,625 feet (5,067 metres) in just over 30 seconds.
- Passengers and crew intervened to stop the alleged attempt on Wednesday.
- The co-pilot reportedly spent about two years in Australia as a student.
- Australian police have confirmed an investigation into his time in the country.
Australian security agencies have launched an investigation after it emerged that a flydubai co-pilot, who allegedly tried to hijack an Israel-bound flight, had spent about two years in the country as a student, according to the Guardian.
Police confirmed the investigation into the period the man reportedly spent in Australia before what the Guardian described as an alleged attempted terrorist attack.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, when the Guardian reported that disaster was narrowly averted as passengers and crew intervened to stop the co-pilot’s attempt to take control of the flydubai flight to Tel Aviv.
The flight was carrying 182 people. During the incident, the aircraft plunged 16,625 feet (5,067 metres) in just over 30 seconds, according to the Guardian.
The focus of the Australian investigation is the roughly two-year period the co-pilot spent in the country as a student, though further details of what agencies are examining were not provided in the reporting.
The intervention by those onboard prevented the alleged attempt from succeeding, the Guardian reported.
Why it matters
An alleged attempt to seize control of a passenger flight raises serious concerns about aviation security and the screening of airline crew. The investigation into the co-pilot's earlier time in Australia also highlights how security agencies may examine an individual's international history following such incidents.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on the flydubai flight?
According to the Guardian, a co-pilot allegedly tried to take control of a flight to Tel Aviv carrying 182 people. Passengers and crew intervened to stop the attempt, and the aircraft plunged 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds during the incident.
Why are Australian agencies investigating?
The Guardian reports that the co-pilot spent about two years in Australia as a student, and police have confirmed an investigation into the period he spent in the country before the alleged attempted attack.
How many people were on the flight?
The flight had 182 people onboard, according to the Guardian.