What we know and don’t know about the flydubai mid-air stabbing
Updated . First published at
The story is still unfolding after one pilot allegedly stabbed another and took control of a Flydubai aeroplane headed to Tel Aviv, before being subdued by crew and passengers.
The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia and passengers have since been put on new flights to Israel.
Video shot from aboard the Flydubai flight subjected to an attempted hijacking. Nine
With questions still resounding over the events, here’s what we know - and what we don’t.
What we know
Flydubai flight FZ1073 was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, when the violent incident took place.
One pilot allegedly stabbed another and took control of the plane, sending it plunging downwards.
The aircraft plummeted more than 5.3 kilometres - from a height of about 10.36km to just over 5km - in just over two minutes in Saudi Arabian airspace at about 3.30pm yesterday AEST (8.30am local time).
It broadcast a distress signal at 3.44pm AEST, and ultimately landed safely at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia shortly before 5pm AEST.
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled in response to the distress call.
Many of the 180 passengers on board the flight were Israeli, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted updates online about the incident.
After the stabbing, the wounded pilot, who Netanyahu named as Indian national Smit Machchhar, fought back and opened the pre-locked cabin door.
A reserve Flydubai crew and passengers were able to subdue the attacker and regain control of the plane and land it safely with no injuries to passengers.
Passengers aboard the flight have been ferried to Israel. AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg
Flydubai, a lower-cost sister carrier of Emirates Airlines, said in a statement that the flight “experienced an incident while en route” and that it was working with authorities.
The alleged attacker was arrested by Saudi authorities, it’s been reported.
Both pilots were hospitalised for their injuries.
Flydubai dispatched additional planes to Tabuk to ferry the stranded passengers to Israel, where photos show a jubilant reunion between relieved loved ones.
Questions remain
The motive of the stabbing and the alleged attacker’s aims remain unknown.
Some Israeli sources have said they believe the alleged attacker aimed to crash the plane in a suicide attempt.
Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz, a leader of the government’s hard right faction, said the incident was an “attempted jihadist terror attack”.
“At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation,” a Flydubai spokesperson said.
“We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts.”
Witnesses on board that have since spoken to media mostly painted a picture of chaos.
The plane was forced to land in Saudi Arabia. FlightAware
Questions also circle around the issue of how an armed person - even a pilot - was able to smuggle a weapon on board a plane.
Flights in the Middle East have strict security and boarding protocols. Netanyahu has reportedly ordered those increased on Israeli flights in the wake of this attack.
US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said there was no threat to the US linked to the attempted hijacking, but that authorities were working closely with Middle East partners to investigate the incident.
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