Maya Kensington
FlyDubai Flight Diverted to Israel Dramatic Cockpit Confrontation Between Pilots… Is This a Potential Terrorism Incident?
Published
A commercial flight heading to Israel experienced significant turmoil on Wednesday morning when two pilots engaged in a violent altercation, prompting officials to label it a “terror attack attempt.”
The incident unfolded at 1:20 AM Eastern Time when the FlyDubai aircraft, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was forced to divert to Saudi Arabia due to the escalating situation in the cockpit, as reported by CNN citing Israeli officials.
CNN reported that the aircraft made a sudden descent of 17,400 feet within a two-minute timeframe.
A passenger aboard the FlyDubai flight informed Fox News that the copilot allegedly stabbed the captain, which caused the captain to collapse onto the control panel, leading to the aircraft’s rapid drop.
The Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, received a distress signal from the plane at 1:44 AM ET, requesting permission for an emergency landing.
BREAKING: A flight bound for Israel makes an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a midair cockpit incident triggers fears of a possible hijacking and prompts Israel to scramble fighter jets.
One passenger tells Fox they believe the co-pilot stabbed the captain, who then fell… pic.twitter.com/RT08hQ9ePG @FoxNews
Approximately one hour later, the plane successfully landed on the runway after the airport declared a state of emergency.
Reports from CNN indicate that both the captain and copilot were taken to a hospital for treatment of their injuries, while passengers received care in the airport terminal. According to two Israeli officials, one of the pilots hailed from Oman, a nation that does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.
As of now, authorities have not provided a formal explanation of the events that transpired in the cockpit.
Cameron Steel
