Details of a dramatic story have been made clear to the press following a plane that landed in an emergency in Saudi Arabia.
Following the exit of the passengers from the plane, the co-pilot was arrested and is currently accused of attempting a terrorist attack by hijacking a plane and attempting to crash it in Israel.
The plane, a flydubai flight, left Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and was bound for Tel Aviv in Israel when the co-pilot started acting suspiciously. A fight broke out between the pilot and the co-pilot. Israeli officials say the co-pilot, an Omani national, stabbed the captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, and appeared to try to take control of the aircraft.
The passengers then realised what was happening and joined the crew to fight the co-pilot. Witnesses said the wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew rushed in, overpowered the attacker and helped stabilise the plane. A doctor on board treated the captain’s wounds.
The aircraft, flight FZ1073, carrying about 174 people, mostly Israelis, dropped thousands of feet in roughly a minute and sent emergency signals, including one used for possible unlawful interference.
Israeli warplanes were scrambled amid fears of a hijacking. The plane then made an emergency landing at Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia. Both pilots were taken to hospital. Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot, who is being questioned. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a major disaster had been avoided. Passengers later continued to Israel on another aircraft. An investigation is ongoing.
Feature photo of the hero pilot, Smit Machchhar.
Newsroom
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