UAE investigates alleged attack on flydubai flight

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after its Omani copilot allegedly attacked the captain and tried to take control of the aircraft. The copilot was detained and transferred to United Arab Emirates custody, where investigators are examining what happened and the man’s possible intent. The investigation is being led by the UAE, with Israeli officials assisting, according to reports. Unnamed officials and accounts of the copilot’s statements to investigators have indicated that Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, may have been his intended target. Some accounts also suggested he might have considered another nearby target. The investigation was described as being in its early stages, and the supplied reporting does not establish those intentions independently. Israeli National Security Adviser Eytan BenDavid told the Telegraph that he believed the copilot planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport and had considered an attack for months.