Could a cockpit attack happen on a US flight? It already has

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Sept. 30 after a violent incident unfolded in the cockpit.

Flight FZ1073 was traveling toward Israel when it rapidly descended more than 17,000 feet, according to the airline, officials and reports in Israeli media. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 transmitted a general emergency code, followed minutes later by a code signaling unlawful interference.

The plane ultimately diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Flydubai said all passengers were safe and accounted for, while Saudi airport officials said both pilots were injured and taken to a hospital.

Exactly what happened inside the cockpit remains under investigation, but the incident has prompted questions about how something like this could happen and what protocols are in place to prevent anything like it from happening again.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot stabbed the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft. Netanyahu, citing a passenger account, said passengers and a crew member broke into the cockpit as the plane plunged and restrained the co-pilot, while other pilots aboard helped land the aircraft. He stopped short of calling it a…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/travel/