Flydubai Pilot Attacked in Attempt to Crash Israel-Bound Plane

A Flydubai jet traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel made an emergency landing after the copilot attacked the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, Dmytro Hubenko and Richard Connor reported for Deutsche Welle.

A Flydubai aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the copilot attacked the captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. [Photo: Government of Dubai]

The aircraft lost thousands of feet in altitude during the incident as the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and subdue the copilot.

Two other Flydubai pilots who were traveling as passengers helped stabilize the aircraft before it made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

UAE authorities later said the copilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.

The copilot was overpowered by passengers and crew and was detained after the aircraft landed. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz also described the incident as an attempted jihadist terror attack.

Flydubai confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe.

The airline subsequently suspended flights to and from Israel while the investigation continued.