Netanyahu: Flydubai co-pilot radicalized, tried to crash plane

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that the co-pilot of a passenger plane who stabbed the captain in an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft en route to Israel had been indoctrinated with radical Islamic ideas and clearly had suicidal tendencies. The incident occurred Wednesday on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The wounded captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker, and a reserve crew aboard landed the plane in Saudi Arabia. The aircraft carried more than 170 passengers. Two Israeli security officials said an initial assessment indicated the co-pilot, identified by Israel as an Omani citizen, likely acted alone, though investigations continue. The plane reportedly dropped about 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds over Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu said it appeared very likely the co-pilot intended to crash the plane, though he had not reached final conclusions. The UAE announced an investigation, and Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet are also probing the incident.