UAE investigators say Flydubai co-pilot intended a terrorist act

UAE investigators said on October 3 that their investigation into the Flydubai flight had determined that the co-pilot intended to carry out a terrorist act. They said he used the cockpit's emergency axe to attack the pilot.

The captain was assaulted during the flight but managed to open the cockpit door. That allowed passengers and crew to overpower the attacker, with the aircraft making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the intervention.

Passengers described rushing toward the cockpit and a struggle for control after the aircraft plunged. Flight-tracking website Flightradar24 recorded a loss of around 17,000 feet of altitude over the course of a minute.

The findings emerged as a first flight carrying Israelis home from the United Arab Emirates landed in Tel Aviv. Israel's airport authority website showed the arrival after services had been suspended following the attack.

The co-pilot remains in custody in the UAE.

Flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv while conducting its own investigation into the incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a man stabbed his fellow pilot and tried to take over a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

The Flydubai aircraft plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) two hours into its journey on Wednesday. Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and regained control before the aircraft landed safely.

The co-pilot is being questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft made an emergency landing. UAE officials say they have jurisdiction over the incident because the aircraft is registered there and operates under their country's flag.

Israeli airlines including El Al, Israir and Arkia said they planned to operate rescue flights from Dubai starting on Friday to bring stranded passengers back.

Israel's Transportation Ministry also said it had sent an urgent request to Etihad Airlines to increase the number of flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.

Flydubai suspends Dubai–Tel Aviv flights during investigation

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