Chilling new details have emerged in the flydubai cockpit attack saga. Israel was ready to shoot down flydubai flight FZ1073 — with more than 170 passengers and crew on board, most of them Israeli — after the aircraft transmitted a hijack signal, CBS News has reported, citing two Israeli sources with direct knowledge of the incident.
The revelation adds a terrifying new dimension to the September 30 drama, in which Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe in a bid to crash the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
Israel Shoot Down Flydubai: The 9/11 Protocol
Israel has long rehearsed for exactly this scenario. When FZ1073 plunged some 14,000 feet in seconds and the Israeli Air Force’s attempts to contact the cockpit went unanswered, a pre-established emergency protocol kicked in: a standing committee convened, a command centre was set up, fighter jets were scrambled — and Israeli airspace was closed.
The jets were recalled only when the aircraft, then about 400 miles from Israel, turned toward Saudi Arabia — which scrambled its own fighters. Had it kept approaching, Israeli jets would have entered Jordanian airspace for a visual inspection of the cockpit and cabin, and the shoot-down decision would have gone up the chain to the defence minister and ultimately the prime minister.
The sources said shooting the plane down would have been preferable to it crashing into Ben Gurion Airport, the Azrieli Center in Tel Aviv, or another high-value target.
The Co-Pilot’s Alleged Plan
An Israeli official told CBS News the co-pilot allegedly intended to crash the jet into Ben Gurion Airport. A separate i24 News report claims he had a “Plan B”: the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, a US military installation in Jordan. The Wall Street Journal reported al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about his radical ideological views. Investigators believe he acted alone.
How Disaster Was Averted
What saved 170 lives was the captain’s resistance. Despite severe injuries, Machchhar fought long enough to unlock the cockpit door; Israeli passengers and crew overpowered the attacker while two off-duty pilots took the controls and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. By the time Israel re-established contact, the crisis was over.
The Israel shoot down flydubai revelation underscores how close the world came to an unthinkable tragedy — and how one injured pilot’s fight changed the ending.
Sources: NDTV, The Times of Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the co-pilot's alleged plan?
An Israeli official said he intended to crash into Ben Gurion Airport; i24 reported a "Plan B" of a US air base in Jordan.
Who saved the flydubai flight?
Indian captain Smit Machchhar fought off the attacker and unlocked the cockpit door; passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot while two off-duty pilots landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Had the co-pilot shown warning signs?
The Wall Street Journal reported he was previously barred from flying in Oman over radical ideological views.
Who would authorize shooting down a plane in Israel?
The decision rests with the prime minister, after IAF visual inspection and committee review.
