Flydubai co-pilot planned Ben Gurion attack, UAE says

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 20:49 · Archive

An Omani Flydubai co-pilot intended to seize a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash it into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on 30 September, the UAE attorney general says.

An Omani Flydubai co-pilot attempted to seize a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash it into a terminal at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on 30 September, according to the UAE attorney general Hamad Saif al-Shamsi. The co-pilot attacked captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe while the aircraft was in Saudi airspace. Machchhar, bloodied and beaten, managed to open the cockpit door and alert passengers and crew. The aircraft plunged 4,900 metres in 30 seconds before the attacker was overwhelmed. Two other pilots on board then landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.

UAE prosecutors believe the attack was inspired by the September 11 attacks on the United States. Investigators found the co-pilot had used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the flight route and airport. The UAE attorney general's statement also suggested the co-pilot was radicalised at a mosque in Australia while attending the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2017.

Investigators examined Flydubai's recruiting procedures and found the suspect had met all professional and security requirements, including holding a pilot's licence and providing a certificate of good conduct. The statement did not appear to implicate the airline in any wrongdoing.

How it is being reported

• Flydubai co-pilot likely radicalised in Australia: UAEThe UAE attorney general says there are signs an Omani pilot was drifting towards "extremism and terrorism" while he was studying in Australia in 2017.Perth Now · 9 Oct, 20:16
• Flydubai co-pilot likely radicalised in Australia: UAEThe UAE attorney general says there are signs an Omani pilot was drifting towards "extremism and terrorism" while he was studying in Australia in 2017.The West Australian · 9 Oct, 20:16

In this story: Flydubai · Ben Gurion Airport · Israel · United Arab Emirates · Smit Machchhar · Saudi Arabia · Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology · Australia

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