Fear in flight, copilot stabs commander. Israel evokes 9/11. Katz: 'Attempted jihadist attack'

Fear aboard a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv in the morning, which made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The copilot stabbed the Emirati captain and attempted to hijack the plane carrying 177 Israelis in order to crash it into the ground: this is the reconstruction of the foiled incident, with Israel denouncing "a terrorist attack." The Omani copilot was described by a colleague as a religious extremist. The pilot told the Israeli TV channel Channel 16 that his colleague had joined flydubai only eight months ago. "He prayed excessively throughout the day and refused to shake hands with women," he said. The claims were picked up by the Times of Israel. The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia reported that Indian pilot Sumit Machechar, stabbed in the cockpit, is hospitalized in Tabuk and his condition is described as stable. The embassy added that it is awaiting a full update on his medical condition and is in contact with the family. Machechar, originally from India, joined FlyDubai four years ago, after 11 years at Low Cost India and 15 years of experience. The man, who fought to stop the copilot who was trying to break the controls and, despite his injuries, opened the cockpit door, held the role of "captain-instructor" and reportedly has accumulated more than 10,000 flight hours. Ynet reports. Video: Fight between pilot and copilot, emergency landing for a FlyDubai flight The passengers of the plane, about 180 mostly Israelis, then landed at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on another flight. The Times of Israel reports. "A catastrophe was averted at the last minute. One pilot stabbed the other and was trying to replicate September 11," said an Israeli official. Netanyahu convened the crisis cabinet. "The serious incident on the FlyDubai plane was an attempted jihadist attack," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement, "foiled only thanks to the heroism of several Israeli passengers who stormed the cockpit, overpowered the terrorist and, with their own hands, returned control of the plane to another member of the pilot crew present on site." "According to the initial information in our possession, the terrorist's intent was one and one only: to crash the plane with all the passengers," he said. "I pay tribute to the heroes aboard the flight from Dubai, who demonstrated readiness, courage and resourcefulness. I have instructed the security apparatus to prepare to face any further threats," the Israeli prime minister said in an official statement. Video: Fight between pilot and copilot, emergency landing for a FlyDubai flight Video: FlyDubai flight, panic among passengers after the plane's jolt THE HYPOTHESES Israel is investigating how it was possible for an Omani pilot to obtain permission to fly in the Jewish state, Channel 12 reports. According to Ynet and the Times of Israel, citing Israeli security sources, the code would have been activated precisely as a result of the altercation between the two pilots. The alert initially raised fears of a possible hijacking: two Israeli Air Force fighter jets took off urgently to intercept the aircraft. THE EMERGENCY MESSAGE Flight FZ 1073 had first transmitted the transponder code 7700, which indicates an emergency situation, and shortly after 7500. The plane had also reduced altitude and changed course, heading toward Saudi Arabia instead of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The aircraft then landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. A security source cited by Ynet specified that there was no confirmed information of an actual hijacking and that the emergency signal had been activated by the pilot. SECURITY ALERT TRIGGERED The episode triggered alarm at the top levels of Israeli security. According to local media, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz convened an urgent meeting on the situation. Netanyahu canceled a visit to southern Israel and is about to hold security talks. Meanwhile, the prime minister and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the dispatch of military rescue aircraft to Saudi Arabia to bring home the Israeli passengers of the FlyDubai flight. Israeli media report that the Mossad and the Shin Bet are involved in the investigation into the incident on the FlyDubai flight. The passengers, who are currently at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, not far from the Israeli city of Eilat on the Red Sea, will be questioned upon their arrival in Israel. According to reports, Israel is working out the steps needed for Israeli planes to land in Saudi Arabia, since the two countries do not have diplomatic relations. THE PASSENGERS According to tracking data, the FlyDubai repatriation flight landed at Ben Gurion International Airport. The Times of Israel reports. About 180 passengers were on board, mostly Israelis. Media: 'Israel does not intend to halt FlyDubai flights' An Israeli official told Ynet that Israel does not intend to halt FlyDubai flights. "We trust the Emiratis. Last year, the company carried a million Israelis," the official said. "Fortunately, there were Israeli heroes on board today, along with two other pilots who regained control of the plane. It's like winning the lottery twice in the same day." Transport Minister Miri Regev had asked in the morning for the suspension of the company's flights until the investigation is completed, but so far no flight cancellations have been announced. All rights reserved © Copyright ANSA