Accused Plane Hijacker Called Religious Extremist Over Refusal to Shake Women’s Hands: ‘We Hired a Terrorist’
Passengers and other pilots restrained the co-pilot as investigators review black boxes and footage after the aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet, officials said.
- A Flydubai flight from Dubai-Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a violent cockpit altercation injured Indian captain Smit Machchhar, causing the aircraft to plunge nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
- Israeli media reported the alleged attacker was an Omani national, and a fellow pilot described the co-pilot as a "religious extremist," though his motive has not been officially confirmed.
- The flight transmitted a 7500 emergency code associated with hijacking, while passengers and other pilots intervened to restrain the co-pilot; investigators are examining black-box data and passenger videos.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot, while Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel; a Transportation Ministry source described the matter as a "clear breach."
- Reports suggest the co-pilot may have held dual citizenship, but Flydubai officials warned against premature speculation while the investigation continues and the suspect remains uncharged.
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Westfalenpost
A co-pilot attacks the captain, passengers prevent a catastrophe: after the terrible incident, the Israelis celebrate their heroes.
'Religious extremist, didn't shake hands with women': Colleague on flydubai pilot who tried to crash flight
A Flydubai pilot reportedly described the co-pilot accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar as a "religious extremist". Israeli media reports said the Omani pilot had joined the airline eight months ago and refused to shake hands with women.
Accused Plane Hijacker Called Religious Extremist Over Refusal to Shake Women’s Hands: ‘We Hired a Terrorist’
Internewscast Internewscast A flydubai co-pilot accused of attempting to hijack a flight carrying 174… This Post: Accused Plane Hijacker Called Religious Extremist Over Refusal to Shake Women’s Hands: ‘We Hired a Terrorist’ first appeared on Internewscast
Accused flydubai plane hijacker is religious extremist who refused to shake women’s hands: ‘We hired a terrorist’
The flydubai staffer accused of trying to hijack a plane carrying 174 people to Israel by stabbing the lead pilot was a religious extremist who refused to shake hands with women, according to a colleague.
"The chance that it would have ended badly was very high," says aviation specialist Benno Baksteen. On Wednesday, a suspected terrorist attack on a plane traveling to Israel was thwarted.
After the plane had landed, witnesses reported what they had experienced on board. According to reports, several passengers gained access to the cockpit after one pilot had attacked another with a knife on the flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel.
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