Israel says Flydubai co-pilot may have tried to crash Tel Aviv-bound flight

TEL AVIV, Sept 30: Preliminary information indicates that a co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv may have attempted to crash the aircraft, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday, after the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073, which diverted to Tabuk after a violent confrontation between the two pilots. Israeli officials said the co-pilot allegedly attacked and injured the captain, while passengers and crew intervened and helped regain control of the aircraft. The plane subsequently landed safely at Tabuk Airport, where both pilots were taken to hospital.

Katz said preliminary information suggested the suspected attacker intended to crash the aircraft and kill everyone on board. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said the incident appeared to involve an attempt to crash the plane, while stressing that the investigation was continuing. CNN reported that Israeli authorities were examining the incident as a possible attempted terrorist attack, although the motive had not been conclusively established.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon praised the passengers and the injured captain, saying their actions helped prevent what he described as a major disaster. The aircraft had more than 160 people aboard, according to CNN.

Earlier reports had described the incident as a possible hijacking after the aircraft transmitted emergency signals. Reuters, however, reported that an Israeli official initially said the incident was believed to have resulted from a fight between the pilots rather than a hijacking