Flydubai copilot attempted to crash Dubai–Tel Aviv flight into Ben Gurion airport

UAE prosecutors say a Flydubai copilot from Oman attempted to seize control of a passenger plane en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September and planned to crash it into Ben Gurion airport in a suicide attack, but was stopped by the captain.

Officials describe how the incident unfolded

The statement by prosecutor Hamad Saif al-Shamsi did not point to any blame on Flydubai and provided the most detailed account so far of the events. Prosecutors say the plot was inspired by the attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001.

Investigators determined that the suspect had previously flown to Tel Aviv twice to familiarise himself with the flight route and the airport, the state news agency WAM reported.

The aircraft was in Saudi airspace when the copilot attacked the captain with an emergency axe that is usually kept in the cockpit. The plane lost 4,900 meters of altitude in 30 seconds before the attacker was subdued.

After the attacker was overpowered, two other pilots on board were able to land the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia. The suspect was transferred to the United Arab Emirates, the home country of Flydubai.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the motives and the sequence of events surrounding the attempted takeover.

Photo: AP)