Flydubai Flight Hijack News: Co-Pilot ‘Plotted’ Crash, Smit Machchhar & Israel Shoot-Down Scare

The Flydubai FZ1073 case is raising fresh questions after new details emerged about the alleged cockpit attack involving Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami and Indian Captain Smit Machchhar.The Tel Aviv-bound flight was carrying around 174 people when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit and attempted to take control of the aircraft. The injured captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other crew members to overpower the attacker before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.Fresh reporting citing Israeli officials says the co-pilot allegedly told UAE interrogators that he had planned the attack even before joining Flydubai and intended to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport. Investigators are still examining the motive, planning and possible security failures.The case has also raised questions about Israel’s aviation security response. CBS News, citing Israeli sources, reported that fighter jets were scrambled and that Israel had a protocol for dealing with a rogue aircraft approaching its airspace, including the possibility of a shoot-down decision under specific circumstances.Watch this LIVE for the latest developments, the alleged co-pilot plot, Captain Smit Machchhar’s role, passenger accounts, Israel’s security response, pilot vetting questions and the ongoing investigation....