Israeli military officials were prepared to shoot down a flydubai passenger aircraft last week after the flight's co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit. Two Israeli sources with direct knowledge told CBS News that the state was ready to implement a pre-established protocol for potential aerial attacks even though more than 150 Israeli citizens were on board Flight 1073.
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was approaching Israel when the aircraft plunged 14,000 feet. Israeli sources say the Omani co-pilot, identified as Hamam al Hamami, stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the plane at Ben Gurion Airport. According to accounts from the flight, the captain fought off the attacker to unlock the cockpit door, allowing flydubai staff, passengers, and two off-duty pilots to overpower the co-pilot and divert the plane to Saudi Arabia.
During the incident, the Israeli Air Force scrambled fighter jets and closed the country's airspace after receiving no response from the cockpit. The jets were recalled when the plane turned toward Saudi Arabia, which had scrambled its own military aircraft. Israeli officials stated the co-pilot claimed during interrogation in the United Arab Emirates that he had planned the attack before joining the airline.
The incident has prompted an investigation into security lapses, as Israeli officials stated the co-pilot had previously flown to Israel despite what they described as a pre-planned intent to conduct an attack. A preliminary Israeli investigation suggests the event was a lone-wolf attack rather than a coordinated effort by a larger group, though all avenues are still being explored.
The co-pilot remains in custody in the United Arab Emirates. The specific dates for the implementation of new security measures or the completion of the full investigative report have not been released.