Middle East Aviation Accidents and Incidents Aviation Safety & Regulation Airlines

Flydubai co-pilot allegedly tried to seize aircraft and steer it toward Ben Gurion Airport

Investigators say the co-pilot stabbed the captain in an alleged attempt to crash the Flydubai aircraft, with a German report saying he may have intended to direct it toward Ben Gurion Airport. New Zealand police said he completed part of his flight training there between November 2018 and May 2019 on a student visa.

Discovered 2026-10-05T22:04:45.893321-07:00 | 2026-10-05T22:04:45.893321-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The alleged attack on the captain raises a serious flight-deck security concern; investigators’ account points to an attempt to take control of an aircraft, though the reported intended target has not been established here as a confirmed finding.
New Zealand police say the co-pilot trained there from November 2018 to May 2019 for a UK-based company, adding an international element to the account of his training history.

Reported By

The Independent Financial Times spiegel.de CNA Reuters