5 hrs ago
Flydubai Copilot Attack Prompts Terror Claims After Emergency Landing
A Flydubai airplane was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people aboard.
The copilot allegedly stabbed the captain during the flight.
The injured captain opened the cockpit door so passengers could help.
Some Israeli passengers grabbed the copilot, and two other pilots on the plane helped control the aircraft.
The plane dropped very quickly before the crew stabilized it.
It eventually landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israel’s foreign minister called the incident a possible jihadist terror attack.
However, investigators had not publicly confirmed the attacker’s full identity, motive, or whether anyone else was involved.
The captain was reported to be in stable condition, and the airline paused flights to Israel.
An Omani national allegedly stabbed Indian Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai Flight 1073, which carried 174 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The injured captain opened the cockpit door, allowing Israeli passengers to restrain the copilot while two additional pilots helped control the aircraft.
The Boeing 737 Max 8 descended from 33,000 to 17,000 feet in about one minute before landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the incident a jihadist terror attack, but acknowledged that investigators had not established who was behind it or confirmed the motive.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were investigating; Israel sought involvement in questioning the suspect, while Flydubai suspended Israel flights during the inquiry.
- Who
- An Omani national serving as copilot, Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, Israeli passengers, other crew members, and authorities in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel.
- What
- The copilot allegedly stabbed the captain, causing a dangerous descent and an emergency landing after passengers and additional pilots intervened.
- Where
- The flight originated in Dubai, was headed to Tel Aviv, and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- About two and a half hours after departure; reports and investigations continued on Thursday.
- Why
- Gideon Sa’ar alleged that the attack sought to kill Israelis and damage Israel-UAE relations, but investigators had not confirmed a motive.
Israeli Terror Assessment
Investigative Uncertainty
Nature of the incident
Israeli Terror Assessment
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called it a terror attempt with jihadist characteristics and said the suspected attacker may have sought to kill Israelis and harm Israel-UAE relations.
Investigative Uncertainty
The reports said investigators had not established the attacker’s motive or whether anyone else was behind the incident.
Possible outside involvement
Israeli Terror Assessment
Sa’ar said Iran could be identified publicly if an investigation proved it was responsible, noting that he viewed Iran as being behind attacks against Israelis worldwide.
Investigative Uncertainty
Sa’ar explicitly said he did not want to make an unproven claim, and the available reports did not establish Iranian involvement.
Suspect’s status and questioning
Israeli Terror Assessment
Israel said it would seek the suspect’s extradition or participation in questioning after the initial Saudi investigation.
Investigative Uncertainty
Saudi and UAE authorities had released few details, and reports differed on the process: the suspect was expected to be handed to the UAE after Saudi Arabia’s inquiry, while Israel sought a role in questioning.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight 1073
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 Max 8
- People aboard
- 174
- Reported descent
- From 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet in about one minute
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Captain’s condition
- Smit Machchhar was reported in stable condition
- Investigation
- Saudi Arabia and the UAE were investigating; Israel sought involvement in questioning the suspect
- Flight status
- Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel during the investigation
Quotes
Gideon Sa'ar
Israel’s Foreign Minister, speaking to NDTV
“And we will both determine that we will not let this terror attack influence the relations between the states. On the contrary, we are very committed now to strengthening relations in all dimensions. We will not let the terrorists win.”
NDTV
“We are thankful for the bravery and courage of Captain Smit Machchhar. By being able to open the door of the cockpit after he was stabbed, he saved the flight and the passengers.”
NDTV
Sources
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Israel Calls Flydubai Cockpit Stabbing Attempted Jihadist Attack
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