The co-pilot accused of a brutal mid-flight attack on the captain of a FlyDubai jet, an incident that nearly led to a catastrophic crash, had been previously grounded by Oman Air in 2024 after the airline discovered his visits to radical Islamic websites, according to a source familiar with the matter. This revelation raises serious questions about FlyDubai’s hiring process, as the source indicated that the airline did not consult with Oman Air before bringing the co-pilot on board. The co-pilot, an Omani national with ties to Syria, reportedly moved to Dubai later that year, and his alleged radical ideological views had previously led to him being banned from flying by Oman Air. The incident aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073, en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, saw the co-pilot allegedly stab the captain, causing the aircraft to enter a dangerous dive before reserve pilots and passengers managed to regain control and divert the plane to Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the event as terrorism, suggesting the co-pilot’s actions stemmed from ‘Islamic radicalization’ and that he intended to crash the plane. Investigations are ongoing by the UAE to determine if the suspect acted alone, while aviation security analysts point to a significant security failure in pilot vetting procedures that allowed such warning signs to be missed.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
