Israeli leader says radicalised co‑pilot tried to crash FlyDubai flight, plane lands
Based on · First reported
Sources
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Omani co‑pilot on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv intended to crash the aircraft, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia after the co‑pilot attacked the Indian pilot with a knife, and landed safely in Tabuk.
- The plane lost 14,000 feet of altitude in 30 seconds before the emergency landing, and the co‑pilot, described as radicalised, is under investigation for possible links to a sender; he was later transferred from Saudi Arabia to Dubai for further questioning, while pilot Smit Machchhar detailed the incident in a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Why it matters
The incident highlights heightened security risks for airlines and the need for thorough investigations into crew radicalisation.
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