Israel says pilot tried to crash Dubai-Tel Aviv flight after cockpit struggle

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz have described an incident on a flydubai flight as an attempted attack after a reported struggle between the pilots. Netanyahu said one pilot stabbed the other as the aircraft approached Israel and apparently tried to crash the plane. He said an Israeli passenger entered the cockpit when the aircraft began to descend sharply and fought the pilot.

According to the Prime Minister, another crew member then entered the cockpit and stabilised the aircraft. He praised the passenger and crew member for preventing what he called a major disaster. The flight, which was carrying mostly Israeli passengers from Dubai, made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, according to the supplied report.

Netanyahu said the pilot accused of attempting to bring down the aircraft had been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities. Katz called the episode an “attempted jihadist terror attack” and said it had been thwarted by Israeli passengers who entered the cockpit and overpowered the pilot. He did not identify the source for attributing that motive, and the pilot’s identity has not been disclosed.

The available material does not include a statement from flydubai, Saudi authorities or aviation investigators. It also does not provide details about the condition of either pilot or the passengers after the emergency landing. Netanyahu said he had instructed Israel’s security services to prepare for additional possible threats and that authorities were conducting continuing situation assessments.

The incident came after Netanyahu warned of possible attacks ahead of Israel’s October 27 election. Opposition leader Yair Lapid had accused him of fear-mongering, according to the report.