Passengers foil bid to crash Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, Israel says, after co-pilot stabs pilot
Summary
Passengers and crew stopped a flydubai co-pilot from allegedly crashing a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight after he stabbed the captain and sent the plane into a steep plunge. The aircraft diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, before passengers reached Tel Aviv, while Israel said it would tighten checks on pilots flying into the country.
Key Points
- Passengers and crew overpowered a flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv after stabbing the captain.
- The plane plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds before second flydubai pilots on board helped land it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli officials said the wounded captain was identified as Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, and 174 people were on board.
- Israel said it would tighten security checks on pilots flying into the country as investigators examined the motive behind the incident.
