A flight heading to Israel made a steep descent and was rerouted after a violent incident in the cockpit, according to multiple reports. Left-leaning outlets reported that a pilot was stabbed, with The Independent describing it as an attempted hijacking before passengers overpowered the attacker.
The New York Post reported the pilot was stabbed by the co-pilot, causing the jet to plunge 18,000 feet, and cited a claim that the attacker "tried to do 9/11." The Sun similarly reported the pilot stabbed the captain while attempting to hijack the plane as passengers screamed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident in a video statement, according to The Daily Wire, saying there was "a serious security incident on a flight from Dubai to Israel." He reportedly detailed how an Israeli passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and subdued the attacker as the plane spun and began to dive.
RealClearPolitics characterized the episode as a hijacking foiled by the actions of passengers, describing it as a "miracle." NewsNation reported more narrowly that a fight between pilots led to a steep decline and rerouting of the Israel-bound plane.
Accounts differ on key details: some reports describe the attacker as a co-pilot who stabbed the pilot, while CNN cited a passenger's mother claiming the pilot was stabbed, without specifying by whom. The flight's origin was reported by The Daily Wire as Dubai.
How each side covered it
Left
- CNN reported a passenger's mother claimed the pilot was stabbed.
- The Independent described the incident as an attempted hijacking in which the pilot stabbed the co-pilot before passengers overpowered him.
“Pilot ‘stabbed co-pilot in attempted hijacking’ on Israel-bound plane before passengers overpower him” — The Independent
Center
- NewsNation reported a pilot fight led to a steep decline and rerouting of the flight.
“Pilot fight leads to steep decline, rerouting of Israel-bound plane” — NewsNation
Right
- RealClearPolitics described the incident as a hijacking foiled by passengers, calling it a "miracle."
- The Daily Wire reported Netanyahu's video statement detailing how a passenger and crew member stopped the attacker as the plane dived.
- The New York Post reported the co-pilot stabbed the pilot, causing an 18,000-foot plunge, and cited a claim the attacker "tried to do 9/11."
- The Sun reported the pilot stabbed the captain while attempting to hijack the plane as passengers screamed.
“Israel-bound plane pilot stabbed by co-pilot, causing jet to plunge 18K feet: They ‘tried to do 9/11’” — New York Post
Questions readers ask
What happened on the Israel-bound flight?
A pilot was reportedly stabbed, allegedly by a co-pilot, causing the plane to make a steep descent before it was rerouted, according to multiple outlets. Passengers and a crew member reportedly subdued the attacker and prevented what several reports described as an attempted hijacking.
Who was involved in stopping the attack?
According to The Daily Wire, citing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an Israeli passenger and a crew member broke into the cockpit and neutralized the attacker as the plane spun and dived.
Where did the flight originate?
The Daily Wire reported, citing Netanyahu, that the flight originated in Dubai and was bound for Israel.
How much did the plane reportedly drop?
The New York Post reported the jet plunged 18,000 feet during the incident.
What did different outlets emphasize about the incident?
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the stabbing and passengers' role in overpowering the attacker; center outlet NewsNation described it more neutrally as a pilot fight; right-leaning outlets emphasized a foiled hijacking and Netanyahu's statement calling it a serious security incident.
Sources · 15 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningPassenger’s mother claims pilot stabbed on flight to Israel
- The IndependentLeft-leaningPilot ‘stabbed co-pilot in attempted hijacking’ on Israel-bound plane before passengers overpower him
- NewsNationCenterPilot fight leads to steep decline, rerouting of Israel-bound plane | Morning in America
- RTÉ NewsCenterVideo | Passenger’s mother retells terrifying moments on board ‘crazy’ UAE-Israel flight | RTÉ
- Hot AirRight-leaningShades of 9/11: FlyDubai Pilot Attempts Hijacking, Mass Destruction
- National ReviewRight-leaningPossible 9/11-Style Suicide Hijacking Attempt Against Dubai Flight Carrying Israelis
- New York PostRight-leaningBloodied Israel-bound jet passenger begs for help after ‘hijacking’: ‘We’ve subdued the terrorists’
- NewsmaxRight-leaningIsrael: 'Major Disaster' Avoided in Suspected Attempted Hijacking
- PJ MediaRight-leaningPilot Stabbed in Apparent Midair Hijacking Attempt on FlyDubai Flight to Tel Aviv
- RealClearPoliticsRight-leaningMiracle on Flight FZ1073
- RedStateRight-leaningPlane Bound for Israel Plunges 18,000 Feet After Cockpit Stabbing in Suspected Terror Attack
- The Daily WireRight-leaningInside The Fight To Take Back Hijacked Plane
- The Free PressRight-leaningHow Ordinary Israelis Foiled a Hijacking
- The SunRight-leaningPilot 'stabs captain & tries to hijack plane' as passengers scream
- The Western JournalRight-leaningHijacking Attempt in Cockpit of Israel-Bound Plane Sends Fighter Jets Scrambling