Israel flight attack: dramatic video of passengers tackling pilot “trying to crash plane” | BBC News

BBC News reports on an incident aboard a Flydubai passenger flight travelling from Dubai (UAE) to Israel, which the report describes as an apparent mid-air hijack attempt. According to the video, one pilot stabbed the other, distress signals triggered a security alert, and Israel scrambled fighter jets to intercept the aircraft. The report says the plane dropped around 15,000 feet after flight control was lost. Passengers and a crew member reportedly broke into the cockpit and subdued the attacker. Other pilots on board then took control, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where a pilot was arrested. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the stabbed pilot a hero, and the defence minister described the attack as "jihadist terrorism".

• Incident on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Israel
• One pilot allegedly stabbed the co-pilot in the cockpit
• Passengers and crew reportedly subdued the attacker
• Emergency landing in Saudi Arabia; a pilot was arrested

Dramatic images filmed on board a passenger plane flying from UAE to Israel capture the moments when passengers stormed the cockpit after one pilot stabbed the other in an apparent mid-air hijack attempt. Distress signals from the plane triggered a major security alert, with Israel scrambling fighter jets to intercept the aircraft. The plane, flying from Dubai to Israel, plunged around 15,000 feet, as flight control was lost. Passengers described how one of the Flydubai pilots had stabbed his co-pilot and appeared to be intending to crash the plane. Passengers managed to break into the cockpit with one of the crew members and subdued the attacker. Other pilots on board then took control of the flight which made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia where a pilot was arrested. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the pilot who was stabbed as a hero. The defence minister said it was an act of "jihadist terrorism". Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Yogita Limaye in Tel Aviv. Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews