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Israel to Tighten Pilot Checks After Flydubai Incident
Confirmed
In Short: Aviation security experts noted that pilots undergo extensive background checks and continuous medical and psychological assessments, but the incident has raised questions about pilot vetting and cockpit security procedures.
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a co-pilot reportedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Yasmin Abukasis, whose daughter was on the flight, told Reuters that her daughter heard screaming as a pilot called for help and saw blood after a man with a knife forced one of the pilots onto the floor.
Almog Itali, another passenger, told media that one of the pilots who landed the aircraft was British, while the other was European, though no specific nationality was provided.
Flydubai said an altercation occurred in the flight deck, but the flight was successfully secured by on-duty crew who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
The stabbed pilot, identified as Indian national Capt Smit Machchhar, was taken to hospital and later called a hero by Netanyahu.
Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 people, most of them Israelis, took off from Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT and was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
Passengers reported seeing a man holding a knife while one of the pilots lay injured, with other passengers helping to subdue the co-pilot.
Aviation security experts noted that pilots undergo extensive background checks and continuous medical and psychological assessments, but the incident has raised questions about pilot vetting and cockpit security procedures.
Two pilots working in the Middle East told Reuters that pilots undergo security screening similar to passengers and cannot normally bring weapons onto aircraft, though metal knives used for meal service or a crash axe in cockpits could potentially be accessed.
Netanyahu instructed authorities to 'ramp up security' on flights to Israel operated by both Israeli and foreign airlines, including flydubai.
What this adds
The incident has prompted a reevaluation of pilot security measures, with Israel planning to implement more stringent checks on pilots flying into the country.
What's confirmed
- The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after a co-pilot reportedly stabbed the pilot and attempted to crash the plane, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Yasmin Abukasis, whose daughter was on the flight, told Reuters that her daughter heard screaming as a pilot called for help and saw blood after a man with a knife forced one of the pilots onto the floor.
- Almog Itali, another passenger, told media that one of the pilots who landed the aircraft was British, while the other was European, though no specific nationality was provided.
- Flydubai said an altercation occurred in the flight deck, but the flight was successfully secured by on-duty crew who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- The stabbed pilot, identified as Indian national Capt Smit Machchhar, was taken to hospital and later called a hero by Netanyahu.
- Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 people, most of them Israelis, took off from Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT and was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
- Passengers reported seeing a man holding a knife while one of the pilots lay injured, with other passengers helping to subdue the co-pilot.
- Aviation security experts noted that pilots undergo extensive background checks and continuous medical and psychological assessments, but the incident has raised questions about pilot vetting and cockpit security procedures.
- Two pilots working in the Middle East told Reuters that pilots undergo security screening similar to passengers and cannot normally bring weapons onto aircraft, though metal knives used for meal service or a crash axe in cockpits could potentially be accessed.
- Netanyahu instructed authorities to 'ramp up security' on flights to Israel operated by both Israeli and foreign airlines, including flydubai.
What's still developing
- "We understood the pilots lost control," she told Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom.
- Initial local media reports cited Israeli officials as saying a fight had broken out between two pilots.
- "Every pilot that is going to be flying into Israel, we are going to know the pilots' identities, know who they are, and do some type of security check," Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister's office, told Reuters.
- The European Aviation Safety Agency said flydubai's certification and safety oversight falls under the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority.
- Flydubai, meanwhile, cautioned against "premature speculation", saying that many details surrounding the incident remained unclear.