'9/11-style scare': How Israel nearly 'shot down' flydubai jet with 170 aboard
A flydubai passenger jet was nearly intercepted by Israeli fighter jets after a cockpit incident led to a sudden altitude drop. Israeli authorities activated 9/11-style protocols, fearing a hijacking, before standing down when the plane diverted toward Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the extreme security protocols in the Middle East and the potential for rapid escalation in aviation safety incidents.
Israel was prepared to shoot down flydubai passenger jet carrying more than 150 Israelis after its captain was attacked in the cockpit and the aircraft plunged thousands of feet, CBS News reported, citing two Israeli sources with direct knowledge of the situation.According to the sources cited by CBS, Israel activated a long-established protocol for a potential 9/11-style incident after the aircraft plunged about 14,000 feet. The Israeli air force attempted to contact the cockpit but received no response.A pre-established committee was convened, a command centre was set up, fighter jets were scrambled and Israeli airspace was closed.The jets were recalled after Israeli authorities saw the aircraft turning towards Saudi Arabia, around 400 miles from Israel. Saudi Arabia also scrambled fighter aircraft in response.CBS reported that had the flydubai flight continued towards Israel, Israeli fighter jets could have entered Jordanian airspace to intercept and visually assess the aircraft.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in