Israel Prepared to Shoot Down Hijacked Flydubai Plane, Report Says

Israel prepared to intercept and potentially shoot down a Flydubai passenger aircraft after losing contact with its cockpit during a suspected hijacking attempt on September 30, according to CBS News, citing Israeli sources.

Flydubai Flight 1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when communication with the cockpit was lost, prompting Israel to scramble fighter jets and activate emergency procedures.

According to the report, Omani co-pilot Humam Al-Hamami attacked the pilot and attempted to take control of the aircraft, causing the plane to descend by around 14,000 feet.

Israeli authorities established a command centre and temporarily closed Israeli airspace as they prepared for a possible hijacking scenario.

Israeli sources said the fighter jets were recalled after the aircraft turned towards Saudi Arabia instead of continuing towards Israel. Saudi Arabia also scrambled fighter aircraft.

Had the aircraft continued towards Israel, Israeli fighter jets were prepared to enter Jordanian airspace to monitor its movements, according to the report.

If a hijacking had been confirmed and communication with the aircraft remained impossible, the defence minister and prime minister would have been involved in the decision. Final authorisation to shoot down the aircraft could only have been given by the prime minister.

Passengers and crew members eventually overpowered the co-pilot after the injured pilot managed to open the cockpit door.

Two off-duty pilots subsequently took control of the aircraft, which made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Reuters, citing sources, said the co-pilot told UAE investigators that he had previously planned to crash the aircraft into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Israeli investigators have so far treated the incident as a possible lone-actor attack, while other possibilities remain under consideration. Shin Bet personnel also travelled to the UAE to participate in the investigation.

Investigators have found no evidence indicating that other members of the flight crew were involved.