Netanyahu: Pilot of Israel-bound flight stabbed colleague and tried to crash plane

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on the 30th local time, regarding the incident involving a flydubai passenger flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, that circumstantial evidence has emerged indicating one of the pilots stabbed a colleague and attempted to crash the aircraft.

In a video statement released that day, Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "A very serious security incident occurred this morning," adding, "It appears that when the plane approached Israel, one of the pilots stabbed the other pilot and deliberately tried to crash the plane along with the passengers."

He explained, "Almost all of the passengers on this flight were Israelis," and noted, "An Israeli passenger I spoke with directly, along with a flight attendant, succeeded in breaking into the cockpit and stopping the pilot in question, who was trying to tamper with the flight systems."

Prime Minister Netanyahu further mentioned that another flight attendant then entered the cockpit and managed to stabilize the aircraft.

Prime Minister Netanyahu added, "We are in continuous contact with the relevant authorities to ensure the ongoing safety and safe return of the passengers," and noted that Israeli authorities are also conducting regular situational assessments.

Additionally, he stated that Saudi Arabian authorities are interrogating the suspect.

He said he has instructed Israeli security authorities to devise measures to prevent similar attempts in the future.

Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized, "I salute the heroes who saved countless lives and showed tremendous courage. They prevented a horrific tragedy."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed that the incident was a terrorist attack attempt by a jihadist.

In a statement, Minister Katz said, "This incident was a terrorist attempt by a jihadist, but it was thwarted thanks to the courage of several Israeli passengers who entered the cockpit, subdued the terrorist, and directly regained control for other flight crew members on board."

He added, "According to preliminary information we have gathered, this terrorist's intention was singular: to crash the passenger plane along with all the passengers on board."

Earlier, the flydubai passenger flight (FZ1073) carrying about 180 passengers transmitted "Code 7700," which is sent when a critical threat to flight operations occurs, such as a mechanical defect, engine failure, fire, or a serious medical emergency of a passenger, while en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, earlier that morning.

Shortly afterward, the aircraft changed its signal to "Code 7500," which signifies hijacking or unlawful interference.

In response, Israeli Air Force fighter jets were scrambled toward the passenger plane, and Prime Minister Netanyahu and Minister Katz convened an emergency response meeting.

The passenger plane, identified as a 737 MAX model, plunged rapidly from an altitude of 34,000 feet to about 17,000 feet in less than a minute during the incident.

Although the impact damaged the rudder on the vertical tail fin, reserve pilots on board turned the aircraft toward Saudi Arabia and safely landed it at Tabuk Airport.

According to the operator of Tabuk Airport, the captain and first officer in question were injured and transported to a hospital.

(Photo: Capture from social media X, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.