Israel Was Ready To Shoot Down flydubai Jet. Then This Happened
An Omani co-pilot attempted to crash a flydubai flight bound for Israel, leading to a mid-air struggle and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Israeli authorities had prepared to intercept the aircraft, fearing a 9/11-style attack, before the situation was resolved by the crew and passengers.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the extreme security protocols in place for potential aerial threats in the Middle East and the critical role of crew intervention.
The Israeli authorities were ready to "shoot down" the flydubai plane after it sent a hijack signal when the Omani co-pilot attempted to seize the Israel-bound aircraft and crash it, according to a report by CBS News. The flight from Dubai had briefly entered Jordanian airspace when co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly stabbed flight captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit and attempted to crash the aircraft, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said. The plane was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, most of them Israeli.Tel Aviv has long anticipated such a situation and has practised procedures for a possible 9/11-style event, CBS News reported, citing sources.According to the report, when the plane plunged nearly 18,000 feet in a matter of seconds, the Israeli Air Force tried to contact the cockpit but got no answer.
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