What we know - and don't know - about suspected attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight
An investigation is underway after a Flydubai co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The plane was diverted to Saudi Arabia, and while both pilots were injured, passengers were later transported to Israel.
Why it matters
This rare and severe security incident raises critical questions about cockpit safety protocols and pilot mental health screening.
One of the pilots of the Israel-bound Flydubai flight FZ1073 stabbed the other pilot and appears to have tried to crash the plane, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a short while ago.
Here's what we know, and don't know, about the incident so far:
When this happened: The plane issued a distress call at 8.31am local time, according to publicly available data.
Minutes later, the flight squawked code 7500, which signals an aircraft hijacking.
"During the flight as they approached the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot," Netanyahu said.
Where the plane was diverted: The incident caused the aircraft, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, to plummet 17,400 feet (5.3km) in less than two minutes, flight tracking data shows. It was then diverted to Saudi Arabia.
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