A FlyDubai co-pilot, recently accused of a mid-air assault on his captain that nearly led to a catastrophic passenger jet crash, had reportedly been grounded by Oman Air earlier this year. This grounding occurred after Oman Air discovered he had been accessing radical Islamic websites, according to a source familiar with the details.
The same source indicated that FlyDubai did not consult Oman Air regarding the co-pilot's employment history before bringing him on board.
Pre-Employment Concerns Emerge
These new revelations follow a report by The Wall Street Journal on Friday, which cited individuals familiar with the situation. The report detailed that the Omani national had previously been prohibited from flying due to apprehensions about his adoption of radical ideological viewpoints, prior to his subsequent hiring by FlyDubai. The newspaper noted that it remains unclear whether Omani authorities communicated these concerns to other nations or airlines.
Mid-Flight Attack and Diversion
The alleged incident unfolded on Wednesday during FlyDubai Flight 1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Accounts from passengers and officials describe the co-pilot allegedly assaulting the captain within the cockpit. This attack reportedly caused the aircraft to enter a steep descent, threatening to break apart, before two off-duty pilots, who were on board the flight, managed to regain control. They successfully diverted the plane to Saudi Arabia. Following the regaining of control, passengers and crew members reportedly assisted in subduing the suspect.
Terrorism Allegations and Investigations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly characterized the event as an act of terrorism on Friday, stating that the assailant had undergone "Islamic radicalization."
"He came to crash the passengers on board," Netanyahu was quoted as saying by The Wall Street Journal.
Netanyahu further indicated that Israeli authorities are investigating whether the suspect acted alone or received assistance from others.
The United Arab Emirates is leading the official investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the UAE declined to comment to The Journal on the suspect's background, explaining that officials wished to avoid prejudicing or interfering with the ongoing investigation.
Broader Security Implications
This event has triggered renewed scrutiny of airline pilot vetting processes and overall aviation security, particularly for flights operating to Israel. Aviation security analysts, speaking to The Journal, described the episode as a significant security lapse. They also raised critical questions about how potential warning signs might have been overlooked before the co-pilot entered the aircraft's control area.
In the aftermath of the attack, FlyDubai has temporarily suspended its flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv.
