UAE says Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain and tried to seize control
The UAE prosecutor general said a co-pilot on Flydubai flight FZ1073 used a crash axe to attack the captain and attempted to take control of the Israel-bound aircraft. Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot and helped stabilise the plane after it entered a sharp plunge, officials said. The flight had 182 people aboard.
The UAE prosecutor general said the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 used a crash axe in an attempted “terrorist attack” during the flight. The statement was issued on Saturday and reported by a state news agency.
According to the UAE statement, the co-pilot also tried to take control of the Israel-bound aircraft during the incident on Wednesday. Passengers and crew intervened, subdued the co-pilot and stabilised the plane, officials said.
Officials said the aircraft entered a sharp plunge during the incident and that the co-pilot’s actions nearly caused the flight to crash. The plane had 182 people on board.
The source also said the suspect was reportedly barred from flying by Oman because of extremist views. The supplied account did not provide further details about the alleged attack, the flight’s outcome or any legal proceedings.
THE QUESTIONS THIS EVENT LEAVES BEHIND
What safeguards were in place to prevent a barred pilot from operating the flight?
How did the co-pilot retain access to the cockpit and flight controls during the incident?
What evidence supports the prosecutor general’s classification of the incident as a terrorist attack?
What measures will aviation authorities consider after the reported attempted takeover?
How were passengers and crew affected after the aircraft was stabilised?
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