The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv turned into a worrying incident while passing over the northwestern skies of Saudi Arabia. During this flight, the co-pilot suddenly attacked the captain and attempted to crash the plane. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated in a video message: "During the flight, as they were approaching the country, one of the pilots stabbed the other with a knife and apparently tried to bring the plane down with all the passengers on board." This incident serves as a wake-up call for flight security and highlights the high sensitivity of the cockpit.
Details of the Incident and Reactions
Officials have not yet provided specific details about the type of weapon used in this attack. Some reports suggest that the crash hammer, which is kept in every cockpit for emergencies, may have been used. However, although the weapon and method used remain unclear, the captain and passengers managed to subdue the attacker and land the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. The captain, an Indian citizen named Smith Machhar, was transferred to the hospital and is now in stable condition.
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Investigations and Security Measures
The United Arab Emirates is investigating any possible connection of this incident to terrorism, while Netanyahu stated that "a similar crash to 9/11 has been prevented." Security checks designed to prevent any threats from entering the aircraft also include pilots, and they cannot evade these checks. Depending on the size of the departure airport, pilots may pass through security stations similar to passengers or use designated routes. This measure helps identify any anomalies, such as a pilot who appears to be anxious or intoxicated.
Access to the cockpit has been significantly increased after the events of 9/11 in the United States, where attackers managed to access the cockpit and crash the planes. If a pilot becomes aware of a threat, they can now lock the cockpit door, which has been reinforced. However, this time the threat originated from within the cockpit itself, which is a very rare occurrence.
Some reports indicate that the captain was able to maintain control of the cockpit and inform his colleagues. He has been recognized as a "hero" by Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. This issue is one of the most sensitive, as it involves identifying a threat that may have no clear signs. One symbolic case is the crash of a German plane in the French Alps in 2015, which was deliberately carried out by a pilot. Investigations revealed that the pilot, a 27-year-old German, was suffering from depression and suicidal tendencies, which his employer was unaware of. This incident left 150 dead and raised global awareness about the need for close monitoring of the mental health of crew members.
However, companies provide little information about the measures they take in this regard for various reasons, including privacy concerns. In the case of the Dubai flight incident, many questions remain unanswered at this stage. Netanyahu announced on Thursday that the pilot, who appears to be an Omani citizen, has been subjected to "radical Islamist indoctrination," but did not provide further details. This incident has drawn more attention to the challenges and security risks in the aviation industry.
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