Flydubai Plane Incident Under Investigation as Suspected Terror Attack

An investigation is underway into a Flydubai flight that experienced a near-catastrophic incident before landing safely in Israel, with authorities suspecting a deliberate act of terror. During the flight, the aircraft rapidly descended from approximately 34,000 feet to 14,000 feet, with one moment showing a descent rate of nearly 31,000 feet per minute. The plane transmitted emergency code 7700, indicating distress, and later code 7500, signifying hijacking, while re-entering Saudi airspace before turning west. Passengers reported that the captain, despite injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing some passengers to enter, though other accounts suggest a different method of entry. The flight was ultimately controlled by off-duty pilots from the passenger cabin, who managed a safe landing despite damage to the tail equipment.

Israeli sources have indicated suspicion of a planned terrorist attack, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stating the pilot "apparently tried to crash the plane." However, Flydubai has emphasized that the motives and causes remain unknown. Netanyahu also clarified that Israel had no prior intelligence about the incident and that no specific link to Iran has been established at this stage. Defense Minister Israel Katz described the event as a "jihadist terrorist attack attempt," crediting Israeli passengers with preventing the crash by overpowering the "terrorist" and allowing the reserve pilots to take control. He stated the terrorist's intention was to crash the plane with all passengers aboard.

Israeli sources identified the suspected perpetrator, the co-pilot, as an Omani national, though this remains unconfirmed officially. Transportation Minister Miri Regev stated that Flydubai violated an aviation agreement with Israel by assigning an Omani pilot, a national of a country with which Israel has no diplomatic ties, to a flight to Israel. The incident raises questions about pilot vetting, especially given that many Flydubai pilots are not Emirati citizens. Investigations are ongoing into the suspected pilot's employment history, security and medical checks, and any prior disciplinary issues or concerning behavior, as well as the airline's selection process for pilots on flights to Israel.