Israel Prepared to Shoot Down Hijacked FlyDubai Jet
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Israel was prepared to shoot down a hijacked FlyDubai flight FZ1073 on September 30 if it had continued towards Israeli airspace, according to CBS News. The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the captain and attempted to seize control, causing the plane to lose altitude. After the plane changed course towards Saudi Arabia, passengers subdued the hijacker, and relief pilots landed the aircraft safely. The incident triggered Israel's protocol for potential aircraft threats, involving fighter jets and high-level decision-making.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel was prepared to shoot down hijacked FlyDubai flight FZ1073 if it approached Israeli airspace.
- The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
- The plane lost 14,000 feet of altitude before changing course towards Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli passengers subdued the co-pilot after the captain regained control of the cockpit door.
- Relief pilots landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Israel activated a protocol involving fighter jets and potential authorization from the defense minister and prime minister.
Israel was prepared to shoot down a FlyDubai flight carrying 166 Israelis and eight foreign nationals if it had continued on its path toward Israel during a hijacking attempt, CBS News reported, citing two sources familiar with the incident. The protocol involved Israeli Air Force fighter jets entering Jordanian airspace to intercept the aircraft. If the hijacking was confirmed and the plane persisted towards Israel, the jets were authorized to take action.
The incident occurred on September 30, when the co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami from Oman, attacked the aircraft's commander, Smith Macchhar, with an emergency axe during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, attempting to seize control. He reportedly shut down the engines, causing the plane to lose altitude. After the aircraft dropped 14,000 feet, Israeli authorities attempted to contact the crew without success.
In response, Israeli authorities activated a long-standing protocol for potential threat scenarios involving civilian aircraft. This included convening a commission and establishing a command post. Israel scrambled fighter jets and closed its airspace. The plane then issued a distress signal, followed by a hijack alert.
Approximately 400 miles from Israel, the aircraft changed course towards Saudi Arabia, prompting Saudi Arabia to also scramble fighter jets. The captain managed to resist the co-pilot, who was damaging instruments, and unlocked the cockpit door. Israeli passengers Yaniv Hayun, Tzvika Manes, and Assaf Rajuan subdued the co-pilot, while Dr. Shota Musaev provided aid to the commander. Relief pilots from FlyDubai subsequently took control and landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Their identities and nationalities remain undisclosed by the airline.
The Israeli protocol details that if the plane had continued towards Israel and reached a predetermined point, Israeli jets would enter Jordanian airspace. Intercepting pilots would attempt visual confirmation and communication. If a hijack was confirmed and the aircraft remained unresponsive, the defense minister and prime minister would be involved in the final decision to eliminate the aircraft, a procedure similar to those in other countries.
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