Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published • loading... • Updated

Co-pilot in FlyDubai plane attack was banned from flying by his native Oman over extremism concerns, AP source says – WTOP News

  • On Wednesday, a FlyDubai co-pilot attempted to crash a flight carrying 182 people, but passengers and crew restrained the attacker before the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
  • Oman had previously barred the co-pilot from flying due to concerns over extremist views, yet the United Arab Emirates-based airline hired him anyway, according to the Wall Street Journal.
  • Passenger Daniel Schlichter, seated in the second row, heard sounds of a fight in the cockpit before the Boeing 737 dropped to 16,600 feet, describing the descent as "horrific" amid children's screams.
  • Repatriation flights began Friday to return stranded passengers after the United Arab Emirates suspended commercial services to Israel; UAE adviser Anwar Gargash called the incident a "dangerous terrorist act."
  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot underwent "Islamist radicalization" but provided no evidence, while President Donald Trump said the United States will "hit them very hard" if Iran was involved.
Insights by Ground AI

43 Articles

Lean Right

The co-pilot was hired by the airline based in United Arab Emirates. It was not immediately clear to what extent his background was investigated when he was hired in United Arab Emirates.

·Madrid, Spain
Read Full Article
Center

The co-pilot who attacked his fellow pilot on Wednesday during a Flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Tel Aviv had a no-fly zone in his home country of Oman. This is reported by American media.

·Rotterdam, Netherlands (Kingdom of the)
Read Full Article
dagelijksestandaard.nldagelijksestandaard.nl
Reposted by
welingelichtekringen.nlwelingelichtekringen.nl
Right

WASHINGTON (ANP) - The suspect co-pilot who attacked the captain in the cockpit of a FlyDubai aircraft had previously been flagged as a security risk at Oman Air. Sources told the American broadcaster ABC News that extremist material was reportedly found on him. The suspect...

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 57% of the sources lean Right
57% Right

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Washington Times broke the news in Washington, United States on Friday, October 2, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal