Last Updated:
The suspect, reportedly of Omani descent, allegedly attacked the pilot and plotted to bring down the Boeing 737 MAX jet carrying 174 people.
The emergency transmissions had prompted Israel to scramble fighter jets amid initial fears that the aircraft had been hijacked. (AFP)
The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight who allegedly stabbed the pilot during a mid-air altercation has been arrested in Saudi Arabia after Israeli leaders said he tried to crash the packed passenger plane in what they described as a “jihadist terrorist attack”.
The suspect, reportedly of Omani descent, allegedly attacked the pilot and plotted to bring down the Boeing 737 MAX jet carrying 174 people, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
“According to the initial information in our possession, the terrorist had one intention: to crash the plane with all its passengers,” Katz said.
Israel says passengers stopped alleged attacker
Katz credited passengers on board with overpowering the alleged attacker and helping save the lives of those on the plane, including 27 children.
“The grave incident on the flydubai plane was a jihadist terrorist attack attempt, which was thwarted only thanks to the bravery of several Israeli passengers who broke into the cockpit, overpowered the terrorist and, with their own hands, restored control of the plane to another flight crew who was present there,” Katz said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also confirmed that the suspect had been arrested and was being questioned in Saudi Arabia.
At A Glance
A Flydubai co-pilot was arrested in Saudi Arabia for allegedly stabbing the pilot during a mid-air altercation.
The incident occurred on Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The plane was carrying 174 people, including 27 children.
The aircraft transmitted a distress signal and an “unlawful interference” alert before being diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Both pilots were injured during the cockpit fight and taken to the hospital.
“During the flight, as they were approaching Israel, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot and, apparently, tried to crash the plane with its passengers on board,” Netanyahu said.
“I salute these heroes who demonstrated extraordinary resourcefulness and courage. They saved many lives and prevented a major disaster,” he added.
Flight diverted to Saudi Arabia
The incident took place on Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 travelling from Dubai International Airport to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
A violent altercation between the two pilots triggered a major security scare while the aircraft was in flight. The plane transmitted a distress signal as well as an “unlawful interference” alert before descending rapidly.
The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk, also known as Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport, in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Both pilots injured
Both pilots were injured during the cockpit fight and were taken to hospital, according to the information provided. All passengers and cabin crew on board were reported safe following the incident.
Israeli leaders have described the episode as an attempted “jihadist terrorist attack”, with Katz saying the alleged attacker intended to crash the aircraft with all its passengers on board.
The suspect remains in Saudi Arabia, where Netanyahu said he was arrested and is currently being questioned.
Quick Answers
Ask News18The co-pilot of a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX flight allegedly stabbed the pilot during a mid-air altercation and attempted to crash the plane carrying 174 people. Israeli leaders described the incident as a jihadist terrorist attack before the aircraft was successfully diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Ask News18About the Author
Shuddhanta Patra is an Indian journalist with about nine years of experience in covering national politics, geopolitics, defence, diplomacy and international affairs. Her reporting focuses on South As…Read More
September 30, 2026, 8:36 PM IST
Read More
Source link
[ad_3]
