TEL AVIV — Israel was prepared to shoot down a Flydubai passenger plane after an alleged cockpit attack left the aircraft in a dangerous descent, CBS News reported.
Israeli sources with direct knowledge of the incident told CBS News that fighter jets were scrambled after Flydubai Flight 1073 plunged sharply and the cockpit did not respond to attempts to make contact.
The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain. The aircraft later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israel Activates Emergency Protocol
According to the Israeli sources cited by CBS News, Israel has a protocol for a possible 9/11-style aviation threat.
The Israeli Air Force tried to contact the cockpit after the aircraft made a sharp descent. It received no response, the sources said.
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A pre-established committee was then activated. A command center was also set up, while fighter jets were scrambled and Israeli airspace was closed.
The Israeli jets did not leave Israeli airspace. The aircraft turned toward Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia also scrambled fighter jets.
Israel then called back its own aircraft.
Israel Considered Further Action
The Israeli sources said Israel would have sent fighter jets into Jordanian airspace if the Flydubai aircraft had continued toward Israel.
The pilots would have tried to approach the aircraft and establish visual contact with the cockpit. They would then have assessed the cabin to determine whether passengers appeared to be in panic.
The information would have gone to the Israeli Air Force and the emergency committee.
According to the sources, the defense minister and prime minister would have been contacted if officials concluded that the plane had been hijacked and those controlling it were not responding.
Only the Israeli prime minister could authorize a decision to shoot down the aircraft, CBS News reported.
Flight Landed Safely in Saudi Arabia
The situation began after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain during the flight.
The captain managed to regain access to the cockpit. Passengers and Flydubai crew members then helped subdue the co-pilot.
Two off-duty pilots on the flight also helped regain control of the aircraft. The plane later landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Reuters reported that Flight 1073 carried passengers and crew and experienced several extreme changes in altitude during the incident. The airline said the matter remained under investigation.
CBS News also reported that Israeli investigators believe the co-pilot may have acted alone. The investigation remains ongoing
