Flydubai co‑pilot tried to crash plane into Ben Gurion, passengers subdued, landed
Written by AI from 8 reports listed below. Not checked by a person before publication. How we use AI
UAE authorities say the co‑pilot of flydubai Flight FZ1073 planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport. Passengers and crew overpowered him and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Planned target
The United Arab Emirates Attorney‑General said the co‑pilot intended to seize the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. Prosecutors added that the plot was inspired by the September 11 attacks and that two earlier flights to Tel Aviv had been used to study the route and airport.
In‑flight attack
During the flight, the co‑pilot assaulted captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and tried to take control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. Passengers, off‑duty pilots and cabin crew intervened, overpowered the attacker and regained control of the aircraft.
Flight details
Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv at 07:05 GST on 30 September and landed at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk at about 10:45 GST. The aircraft carried 174 passengers and six crew members, a total of 182 people, most of them Israeli.
Legal actions
India’s National Investigation Agency registered a case under the Anti‑Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. Saudi authorities arrested the co‑pilot, and the UAE attorney‑general said investigators believed the plan was to crash into Ben Gurion’s terminal.
Recognition
Israeli President Isaac Herzog sent a letter to Captain Machchhar expressing gratitude and announced a Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism to be presented after his recovery. Herzog also honored six Israeli passengers for their heroism aboard the flight.
Analysed 8 reports from 8 publishers
Used in this story
- aviation24.be
- freerepublic.com
- israelnationalnews.com
- clevelandjewishnews.com
- english.news.cn
- nypost.com
- idrw.org
- businesstoday.in
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