Passengers and captain describe flydubai co-pilot attack on Tel Aviv flight
The co-pilot of flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked the captain with a crash axe on Wednesday, and a UAE official called it an attempted terrorist attack. CBS News reported that the Boeing 737 Max dropped 14,000 feet before passengers subdued the attacker and another pilot regained control. Early Israeli findings point to a lone attacker, according to people familiar with the matter. Australian authorities are examining the co-pilot's links to Australia.
Key facts
A UAE official said the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take the aircraft's controls in an attempted terrorist attack.14
The captain said the co-pilot asked to pray minutes before striking him from behind, according to Breitbart; ABC News also reported the captain's account of the attack.89
CBS News reported that the plane dropped 14,000 feet in seconds before passengers subdued the attacker and another pilot regained control.1112
An early Israeli investigation found the attack was likely carried out by a lone attacker, according to people familiar with the matter.10
Australian state police and the country's security agency are investigating the co-pilot's links to Australia.2
How it was covered
- Left
- Left-leaning outlets emphasised passenger and captain accounts of the attack and Israeli investigators' early view that the co-pilot acted alone.
- Right
- Right-leaning outlets emphasised the co-pilot's reported social media posts, reported affinity for al-Qaeda, and Netanyahu's praise of the captain.
Sources (12)
How this story was made
Written and checked by Claude from 12 articles by 9 outlets · How Boring works
Boring’s stories are written and checked by AI, from the outlets’ own headlines and summaries. Every fact links to the outlets that reported it.
Tell us what you think about this story, or report a mistake in it.