Netanyahu: Copilot tried to crash plane after cockpit stabbing

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday the Omani copilot who allegedly stabbed his captain on a flight to Israel was trying to crash the plane.

During an appearance on CNN’s “The Brief,” Netanyahu praised the Indian pilot for displaying “incredible heroism” as he “somehow managed to unlock the door” to the cockpit after being stabbed.

An Israeli passenger then “burst in,” threw the copilot back and took control of the aircraft, officials said, a FlyDubai plane en route from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board.

“And then another Israeli, and I think another air crew member, they got control over the attacker, and then the reserve pilots who were in the passenger area came in, stabilized the airplane,” Netanyahu told host Jim Sciutto, adding the aircraft was dropping.

“So, the amazing heroism here of the Indian pilot, the Israeli passenger, and his colleagues, and those pilots managed to prevent a 9-11 disaster because that’s what it looks like was happening,” the Israeli prime minister added, referring to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S.

The plane eventually touched down safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement early Thursday, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country’s judicial authorities are investigating the incident.

The ministry added it will examine “any possible connection” to terrorist activity. Netanyahu noted Wednesday the copilot is being interrogated in Saudi Arabia and will be taken to the UAE “very soon.”

The Israeli leader added he spoke to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who allowed Israel to “join” the interrogation.

“So, we’ll find out very soon if Iran had anything to do with it. But I can’t say that in advance of the conclusion of the interrogation,” Netanyahu told Sciutto.