UAE says Flydubai co-pilot planned airport strike inspired by 9/11
Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the findings emerged from an investigation launched on October 1 into the September 30 incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, according to the UAE state news agency WAM. The September 30 incident ended with an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident caused the jet to plunge 16,000 feet in 30 seconds, according to the account provided in reports on the investigation.
The co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
The Jerusalem Post reported that the investigation found the alleged plot was premeditated and that the suspect’s shift towards extremism began in 2017, while he was studying in Australia.
A third source briefed on the UAE investigation told Reuters that the suspect had also intended to hijack and crash an earlier flight to Tel Aviv but did not carry out the plan.
Earlier, two Israeli officials familiar with the investigation had told news agency Reuters, that the co-pilot had told UAE interrogators he planned the attack before being hired by Flydubai.