Israel Had Protocol to Down Flydubai Jet After Co-Pilot Attack
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a Flydubai aircraft flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv last week encountered a serious incident as it approached Israeli airspace. Reports from CBS News indicate that the co-pilot attacked the captain with a knife and attempted to bring down the aircraft.
Two Israeli sources revealed that the Israeli regime has a pre-established protocol for such emergencies. Following a 14,000-foot drop in altitude, the Israeli air force attempted to contact the cockpit but received no response. Subsequently, a predetermined committee was rapidly convened, and a command center was established.
Israeli fighter jets were scrambled, and the airspace was closed. However, when it became clear that the aircraft had diverted course towards Saudi Arabia, approximately 400 miles from Israeli territory, Israel recalled its fighter jets. Saudi Arabia also deployed its own fighter jets.
The pilot managed to resist the co-pilot for a period, eventually opening the cockpit door. A group of passengers and Flydubai crew members then subdued the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots on board took control of the aircraft and executed an emergency landing in the city of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli sources told CBS News that had Flight 1073 proceeded further towards Israel, their fighter jets would have entered Jordanian airspace to assess the situation. The fighter pilots would have approached the aircraft as closely as possible to visually inspect the cockpit and evaluate the captain’s condition. The passenger cabin would also have been observed for any signs of panic, with information relayed to the Israeli air force and the pre-arranged committee.
According to these sources, if it was determined the aircraft had been hijacked and the suspected hijackers were not communicating or making demands, the committee would have informed the Israeli Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister for a decision.
Under this protocol, a rogue aircraft heading towards Israel could be downed, but only the Israeli Prime Minister has the authority to issue such an order. Sources told CBS News that in such circumstances, shooting down a passenger plane would be considered preferable to the potential loss of hundreds of lives if the aircraft was in danger of crashing into Israeli buildings, airports, or other critical targets.
An Israeli official told CBS News that the co-pilot, accused of assaulting the pilot, stated during interrogation in the UAE that he had planned the attack even before being hired by Flydubai.
