Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says one pilot of a FlyDubai flight bound for Israel stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the plane, forcing an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials are investigating whether it was an attempted terror attack.
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Key facts
- A FlyDubai plane flying from the UAE to Israel was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the aircraft.
- A passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and 'neutralised' the attacking pilot, Netanyahu said.
- Almost all passengers on the flight were Israelis, and no passengers were harmed.
- Israeli officials are investigating whether the incident was an attempted terror attack.
One of the pilots of a FlyDubai plane flying from the United Arab Emirates to Israel stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the aircraft, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Israeli officials said they were investigating whether the incident was an attempted terror attack on Israelis.
The plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the apparent attack. According to a statement by Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport, more commonly known as Tabuk airport, the two pilots were wounded but the other passengers were safe.
Netanyahu said that during the flight, as the aircraft approached Israel, one of the pilots stabbed the other and appeared to be attempting to crash the plane with everyone on board. He said almost all of the passengers on the flight were Israelis.
According to Netanyahu, one of the passengers managed to break into the cockpit along with a crew member, and together they ‘neutralised’ the attacking pilot. The Israeli prime minister said the pilot was arrested following the incident.
The Guardian reported that the plane plummeted mid-air before completing its emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot who was stabbed was among the two pilots described as wounded in the airport’s statement.
Israeli authorities said their investigation into whether the incident amounted to an attempted terror attack was ongoing. The reports did not provide further details on the identities of the pilots or a confirmed motive.
Why it matters
An apparent attempt to deliberately crash a commercial airliner carrying mostly Israeli passengers raises serious aviation security and counter-terrorism concerns. The incident also highlights how passengers and crew intervened to prevent a potential disaster mid-flight.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on the FlyDubai flight?
According to Netanyahu, one pilot stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the plane as it approached Israel. A passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and 'neutralised' the attacking pilot, and the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Were any passengers hurt?
According to a statement by Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Tabuk airport), the two pilots were wounded but the other passengers were safe. Netanyahu said almost all passengers were Israelis.
Is the incident being treated as terrorism?
Israeli officials said they were investigating whether the incident was an attempted terror attack on Israelis. No confirmed motive had been reported.
Timeline
- 'Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says
BBC World: Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and safely landed the plane in Saudi Arabia.
- Netanyahu says pilot arrested after stabbing fellow pilot and apparently trying to crash Israel-bound plane – as it happened
The Guardian World: This blog is now closed, you can read our full report on this story here Netanyahu said one of the FlyDubai pilots stabbed his fellow pilot and intended to crash the plane. He added that one of the passengers on the flight managed to break into the cockpit with one of the crew me
- Pilot who stabbed co-pilot on Israel-bound plane may have tried to crash it, says Netanyahu
The Guardian World: Israeli officials investigating if incident, which forced plane to make emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, was attempted terror attack One of the pilots of a plane flying from the UAE to Israel stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the plane, the Israeli prime ministe
- Netanyahu says pilot arrested after stabbing fellow pilot and apparently trying to crash Israel-bound plane – latest
The Guardian World: Israeli PM issues statement on FlyDubai incident, which saw plane plummet mid-air before emergency landing in Saudi Arabia Full report: Pilot on Israel-bound plane stabbed co-pilot and tried to crash aircraft, passenger says Netanyahu said one of the FlyDubai pilots stabbed his f
- Pilot on Israel-bound plane stabbed co-pilot and tried to crash aircraft, passenger says
The Guardian World: Israeli officials investigating if incident, which forced plane to make emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, was attempted terror attack One of the pilots of a plane flying from the UAE to Israel stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to try to crash the plane, the Israeli prime ministe