1 hr ago
UAE Investigates Possible Terror Link in Israel-Bound Flight Attack
A plane traveling to Israel suddenly began losing altitude during its flight.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked the pilot and may have tried to crash the plane.
Passengers and other crew members rushed to help and took control of the situation.
The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Everyone on board was reported safe.
The passengers later continued to Israel on another flydubai plane.
The United Arab Emirates is investigating what happened.
Some Israeli officials think it may have been terrorism, but other explanations, including mental illness, have not been ruled out.
The injured pilot and passengers were praised for helping prevent a disaster.
The United Arab Emirates launched an investigation into a possible terrorist link to an alleged cockpit attack on a flight to Israel.
The co-pilot allegedly stabbed pilot Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft, according to Israeli officials and passengers.
Passengers and crew members intervened after the plane rapidly lost about 17,000 feet and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
All 174 passengers were reported safe, and the aircraft later reached Tel Aviv; flydubai suspended Israel flights during the investigation.
Israeli officials called the incident a terrorist or jihadist attack, while officials including Benjamin Netanyahu said mental illness could also be a possibility.
- Who
- Passengers and crew on a flydubai flight, including pilot Smit Machchhar and the alleged attacker, were involved; UAE and Israeli authorities are investigating.
- What
- An alleged cockpit attack caused a flight to lose altitude and divert before landing safely.
- Where
- The incident unfolded while the aircraft was over Jordan; it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and later arrived in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- When
- The incident occurred on Wednesday, and the United Arab Emirates announced its investigation on Thursday.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating whether the incident involved terrorist activity or intent; mental health has also been suggested as a possible explanation.
Terrorism suspected
Cause remains unconfirmed
Nature of the incident
Terrorism suspected
Israeli officials, including Itamar Ben Gvir and Israel Katz, described the incident as an attempted jihadist or terrorist attack.
Cause remains unconfirmed
The reasons for the altercation remain unknown, and Benjamin Netanyahu did not rule out mental health as a possible explanation.
Who should lead the inquiry
Terrorism suspected
Israel said the incident targeted Israelis, the United Arab Emirates and the Abraham Accords, and called for cooperation against extremist elements.
Cause remains unconfirmed
Netanyahu said he expected the United Arab Emirates to lead the investigation, with Israel joining it; the UAE prosecutor has not announced a final conclusion.
Key facts
- Aircraft operator
- flydubai
- Reported passengers
- 174 total, including 166 Israelis according to media reports
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Altitude loss
- Approximately 17,000 feet in one minute
- Pilot
- Indian national Smit Machchhar was injured and treated in Saudi Arabia
- Investigation
- The United Arab Emirates is examining possible terrorist activity or intent
- Flight status
- flydubai suspended flights to Israel while the investigation continued
Quotes
Miryam Shira Ohayon
Passenger aboard the flydubai flight
“During the flight, as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot, and apparently tried to crash the plane with everyone on board.”
deccanchronicle.com
“The co-pilot tried to murder the pilot and basically carry out a suicide attack on the plane.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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