FlyDubai co-pilot sought to crash plane into Tel Aviv's main airport: UAE
UAE authorities report that a FlyDubai co-pilot attempted to crash a flight to Tel Aviv on September 30, citing radicalization and inspiration from the 9/11 attacks. The captain successfully thwarted the attack after being stabbed, allowing passengers to restrain the suspect.
Why it matters
This incident highlights a major security breach in commercial aviation and raises concerns about pilot vetting and radicalization in the Middle East.
The suspect, an Omani national, did so "with the intention of causing the greatest possible number of human casualties," the UAE's top prosecutor said in a statement carried by the state news agency WAM. Most of the 174 passengers on the flight were from Israel.
The statement said the co-pilot "drew inspiration" from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States and used two previous flights from Dubai to Tel Aviv to "familiarize himself with the flight route and the airport."
How FlyDubai crew, passengers pulled off that dramatic recovery | Hanomansing Live
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Omani flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into Israeli airport, claims UAE
flydubai co-pilot intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, UAE prosecutor says
Omani flydubai pilot initially planned to hijack plane to Israel in July
FlyDubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Tel Aviv airport, inspired by 9/11, prosecutor says
flydubai Co-Pilot Confesses, Says Planned 9/11-Like Attack: UAE Prosecutor
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