Co-Pilot Accused of Trying to Crash Israel-Bound Flight After Stabbing Captain

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a violent cockpit incident that Israeli officials say involved an attempt to crash the aircraft.

Flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 170 Israeli passengers when an altercation broke out between the pilots. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and then attempted to bring the plane down. Passengers and crew members were able to enter the cockpit and subdue the alleged attacker.

Flight-tracking data showed the Boeing 737 entering a rapid descent before stabilizing. The aircraft transmitted emergency signals that included code 7500, which indicates unlawful interference, and later diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

The plane landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk. The two pilots were taken to a hospital, while the passengers were reported safe. Saudi authorities detained the alleged attacker, and the passengers were later transferred onward toward Israel.

Flydubai confirmed that an incident occurred on the flight and said it was working with the relevant authorities. Israeli officials said they were investigating whether the attack was terrorism-related. The motive has not yet been established publicly.

Israeli fighter aircraft were scrambled while the situation was unfolding, according to reporting by Reuters and other outlets. The incident triggered an immediate security review in Israel because the flight was bound for Tel Aviv and carried a large number of Israeli citizens.

The aircraft was operated by Flydubai, an airline based in the United Arab Emirates. Despite some early reports describing the plane as Israeli, it was an Israel-bound Emirati commercial flight.

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Sources:
Reuters
CBS News / Associated Press