The UAE's prosecutor general says a Flydubai co-pilot attempted a terrorist attack during a Tel Aviv-bound flight, using a crash axe against the captain and sending the plane into a sharp plunge before passengers and crew intervened.
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Key facts
- The UAE prosecutor general described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
- The co-pilot of flight FZ1073 used a crash axe to attack the captain and tried to take control of the plane, officials said.
- The aircraft plunged more than 17,000ft about two and a half hours into the journey, according to the BBC.
- There were 182 people on board; passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and helped stabilise the plane.
- The Guardian reported the suspect is said to have been barred from flying by Oman over extremist views, with a probe under way into the motive.
The United Arab Emirates says a Flydubai co-pilot attempted to carry out a terrorist attack during a Tel Aviv-bound flight, attacking the captain with a crash axe and trying to seize control of the aircraft. The UAE’s prosecutor general made the statement on Saturday, according to a state news agency cited by multiple outlets.
The flight involved was Flydubai FZ1073, bound for Israel. According to The Guardian, the co-pilot used a crash axe in the attack and also tried to take control of the plane during Wednesday’s incident. Officials said the co-pilot’s actions nearly crashed the flight, which had 182 people on board, by sending it into a sharp plunge.
The BBC reported that the plane plunged more than 17,000ft two and a half hours into its journey before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker. The intervention of those on board helped subdue the co-pilot and stabilise the aircraft, according to The Guardian.
Al Jazeera reported that a probe is under way to determine all the circumstances of the incident, including the motive. The prosecutor general characterised the event as a terrorist attack, though investigators have not yet set out a confirmed explanation for the attempted assault.
According to The Guardian, the suspect is said to have been barred from flying by Oman because of extremist views. Authorities have not publicly detailed further findings as the investigation continues.
Flydubai is a Dubai-based low-cost carrier. The outlets reporting on the incident, including Sky News, the BBC, the Guardian and Al Jazeera, attributed the central claims to the UAE prosecutor general and state news agency.
Why it matters
An in-flight attack by a crew member on another pilot is a rare and serious aviation security event, and the UAE's description of it as a terrorist attack raises questions about pilot vetting and cockpit security. With 182 people on board and the plane plunging thousands of feet, the intervention of passengers and crew appears to have averted a disaster.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?
According to the UAE prosecutor general, the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take control of the Tel Aviv-bound plane. The aircraft plunged more than 17,000ft before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and helped stabilise it.
How many people were on board and were they harmed?
Officials said there were 182 people on board. The sources state that passengers and crew intervened to subdue the co-pilot and stabilise the plane, but do not provide details on injuries.
What is known about the co-pilot's motive?
The UAE's prosecutor general called it a terrorist attack, and a probe is under way to determine the circumstances, including the motive. The Guardian reported the suspect is said to have been barred from flying by Oman over extremist views.
Timeline
- Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
BBC World: The flydubai plane plunged more than 17,000ft two and a half hours into its journey before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker.
- Flydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE
The Guardian World: Attorney general says ‘terrorist attack’ was attempted by suspect who is said to have been barred from flying by Oman because of extremist views The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 used a crash axe to attempt to carry out a “terrorist attack” during the flight, the United Ara
- Flydubai co-pilot stabbed captain with crash axe in ‘terrorist’ attack: UAE
Al Jazeera: This is a breaking news story.
- Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in ‘terrorist act’: UAE
Al Jazeera: Probe under way to determine 'all the circumstances', including motive, UAE's prosecutor general says.
- Flydubai co-pilot 'attacked pilot with axe in suspected terrorist attack', UAE says
Sky News: The Flydubai co-pilot tried to carry out a terrorist attack during a Tel Aviv-bound flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has said.
- Flydubai co-pilot who 'attacked pilot with axe in suspected terrorist attack' pictured
Sky News: The flydubai co-pilot tried to carry out a terrorist attack during a Tel Aviv-bound flight that nearly crashed, the United Arab Emirates has said.