Israel was prepared to shoot down FlyDubai plane after attack on captain, sources say
Israeli officials were ready to consider shooting down a FlyDubai aircraft after the captain was reportedly attacked in the cockpit. More than 150 Israelis were aboard, according to two sources who spoke to CBS News.
After the plane dropped 14,000 feet, Israeli military pilots tried to reach the cockpit but received no response. Authorities activated a standing response process and set up a command center.
Accounts from the aircraft say the captain resisted the co-pilot and opened the cockpit door. Passengers and FlyDubai crew members restrained the co-pilot, while two off-duty pilots took control and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli sources said fighter pilots would have inspected the cockpit and cabin from nearby to judge what was happening. If officials suspected a hijacking and the aircraft remained silent, senior leaders, including the defense and prime ministers, would have been consulted.
An Israeli official told CBS News that the co-pilot said in questioning in the UAE he had planned the attack before joining FlyDubai. The official said he intended to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport; the next steps in the investigation were not specified.
Key points
- The plane landed safely in Tabuk after passengers, crew and two off-duty pilots intervened.
- Israel activated emergency procedures when the aircraft lost contact with its cockpit.
- An Israeli official said the co-pilot had planned to crash the plane at Ben Gurion Airport.