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The flydubai co-pilot 'planned to crash into Tel Aviv's airport': what's confirmed
Israeli officials say the co-pilot who attacked his captain on flight FZ1073 told interrogators he planned to crash the jet into Ben Gurion Airport and joined flydubai to do it. He told investigators the war in Gaza was his reason, Ynet and now the Wall Street Journal report, and he nearly struck on a July flight held back, some sources say, because of a crew member. The UAE calls the attack terrorism but won't comment on the plan. Trump blames Iran; a senior US official sees no sign of that.
7 confirmed15 reported1 disputed
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Key points
- Reported
Israeli officials say the co-pilot told interrogators he planned to crash flight FZ1073 into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
- Confirmed
The UAE Attorney General says investigations revealed the co-pilot attempted a terrorist act: he attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take the flight controls.
- Disputed
Trump says he personally believes Iran was responsible; a senior US official told NBC there are no indications Iran directed or was involved, and Netanyahu said it is too early to say.
What happened on the flight
On 30 September 2026, flydubai flight FZ1073 left Dubai for Tel Aviv with 172 people on board. Over Saudi Arabia, the co-pilot attacked the captain with the cockpit's crash axe and tried to take the controls, the UAE's attorney general says. The jet lost about 14,000 feet before a reserve flydubai pilot on board took over and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Everyone survived; the captain was injured and has since returned to the UAE.
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Watch the filmThe full 3D reconstruction on YouTube ↗How we label every claim
Confirmed: Independently verified: an official record, or two independent newsrooms.Reported: One credible source reports it. Not yet independently confirmed.Claimed: Said by someone involved. Not verified.Disputed: Credible evidence or sources contradict it.
