World · India Bureau
Co-pilot planned crash before joining Flydubai, Israeli officials say
Israeli security officials have suggested that the Omani co-pilot involved in last week's Flydubai incident may have harboured plans to crash the aircraft before he joined the airline, according to sources briefed on the United Arab Emirates investigation.
LSN India ·
The co-pilot, a national of Oman, allegedly intended to crash the flight into Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv during what would have been a routine service last Wednesday, according to a third source with knowledge of the UAE probe into the incident.
The allegation raises serious questions about pre-employment vetting procedures at the low-cost Middle Eastern carrier and adds a potentially more sinister dimension to an aviation incident that has already drawn international scrutiny. If substantiated, the claim would suggest that the pilot's intentions predated his employment with Flydubai rather than emerging after joining the company.
Israeli security and aviation officials have been examining the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of a broader regional investigation. The involvement of Israeli authorities reflects both the intended destination of the aircraft and broader security concerns affecting air traffic in the region.
Details regarding the co-pilot's background checks and recruitment process remain unclear. The alleged planning of a crash before joining the airline would represent a critical breakdown in aviation safety protocols, should such findings be confirmed through official channels.