Flight to Israel diverted after pilot broadcasts emergency signal, sources

Live updates

1. 52m ago

   Flydubai Co-pilot Arrested After Attempting to Crash Flight to Israel

   Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami was arrested after allegedly stabbing Captain Smit Machchhar and attempting to crash a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Passengers and off-duty pilots subdued al-Hammami, preventing the aircraft from crashing. The plane, carrying over 150 Israelis, transmitted a hijack code over Jordan and descended 17,400 feet in just over two minutes before diverting to Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials described the event as an attempted jihadist terror attack, while UAE authorities are investigating possible terrorist links. Passengers have since returned to Israel safely.

   Why it matters

   The incident triggered the scrambling of Israeli Air Force jets and emergency security consultations between Israel's prime minister and defense minister. This event occurred on a commercial route between the UAE and Israel, raising significant aviation security concerns.

   What is confirmed

   • A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Saudi Arabia after a struggle in the cockpit.
   • The aircraft transmitted a hijack-related distress code while over Jordan.
   • Passengers and off-duty pilots intervened to subdue the co-pilot.
   • The plane descended from 34,000 to approximately 16,600 feet in just over two minutes.
   • The flight carried more than 150 Israelis.
   • The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, is accused of stabbing Captain Smit Machchhar.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Hamam al-Hammami planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport.
   • The attacker used a crash axe during the incident.
   • The co-pilot studied at a UK university.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the UAE investigation into terrorist links
   • Legal proceedings against Hamam al-Hammami
   • Official reports on the specific hijack code used
   Sources used for this update (22)

   1. CNN — Flight to Israel diverted after pilot broadcasts emergency signal, sources
   2. BBC — Israel-bound flight diverted after fight between pilots
   3. The Jerusalem Post — Flydubai aircraft activates hijack-related code en route to Tel Aviv
   4. The Hill — A commercial plane traveling from Dubai to Israel is diverted to Saudi Arabia after a distress call
   5. The Times of Israel — Hijacking ruled out as flydubai flight to Tel Aviv lands at Saudi airport
   6. www.cbsnews.com — Dubai to Israel flight makes emergency landing, passenger says "co-pilot tried to murder the pilot" and crash jet
   7. www.cnn.com — Co-pilot on Israel-bound flight stabbed captain and tried to hijack plane, sources say
   8. www.cnbc.com — Passengers overcame co-pilot who tried to crash Fydubai flight
   9. www.yahoo.com — Plumber who helped save Flydubai flight credits TV air disaster series
   10. abc17news.com — ‘Violent incident’ between pilots sparks emergency diversion of Israel-bound flight, sources say - AB....
   11. www.kxly.com — Flight to Israel diverted after pilot broadcasts emergency ...
   12. www.jfeed.com — Flight to Israel transmits hijack code; IAF scrambled | JFeed
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