Investigation opens after co-pilot attacks captain on Israel-bound flydubai flight
publishers 40articles 48first reported 1 Oct, 13:30 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 9 editions
Authorities are investigating why a co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, causing the aircraft to plunge before passengers and crew subdued him and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 170 people when the captain was stabbed about two hours into Wednesday’s journey. The aircraft descended more than 17,000 feet (5,200 metres), according to flight-tracking data cited by the BBC. Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot, while a reserve crew was able to stabilise the plane and ultimately land it safely in Saudi Arabia.
The suspect, described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an Omani national, was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. The United Arab Emirates has opened an investigation into whether the incident was connected to terrorism, while Saudi investigators are cooperating with the UAE, Oman, Israel and the United States.
Netanyahu said preliminary information indicated that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” was suicidal and likely intended to bring down the aircraft. He said final conclusions had not been reached. A regional official told the Associated Press that investigators were considering possibilities including terrorism and mental illness. Israeli security officials cited by Reuters said their initial assessment was that the suspect probably acted alone and that they had not yet found Iranian involvement.
The injured captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was reported to be in good condition and recovering in hospital.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 6 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 6 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 8 h after the record first saw the story; the editor revised it.
- Publishers
- 40
- Source articles
- 48
- Given to the writer
- 6, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 6
- This version written
- 8 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- revised
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and changed it before publication. Struck words were in the draft; underlined words are its corrections.
WHAT IT FLAGGED editor revise: Several details needed narrowing to match the sourcing precisely. - "Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot, while other crew members regained control and made an emergency landing in Tabuk.": The sources say a reserve crew stabilized the plane and it landed safely in Saudi Arabia, but do not support that other crew members made the emergency landing. - "The suspect, identified by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an Omani national, was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities.": Netanyahu is sourced as saying the attacker was an Omani national, but the story wording says he identified the suspect, which could imply he named him. - "Israeli security officials cited by Reuters said their initial assessment was that the suspect probably acted alone and that they had found no Iranian involvement.": The sources say Reuters cited two Israeli security sources who had not yet found Iranian involvement, not that they had found none.
THE DRAFT AND THE CHANGES
Investigation opens after co-pilot attacks captain on Israel-bound flydubai flight
Authorities are investigating why a co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, causing the aircraft to plunge before passengers and crew subdued him and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 170 people when the captain was stabbed about two hours into Wednesday’s journey. The aircraft descended more than 17,000 feet (5,200 metres), according to flight-tracking data cited by the BBC. Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot, while othera reserve crew memberswas regainedable controlto stabilise the plane and madeultimately anland emergencyit landingsafely in Tabuk.Saudi Arabia.
The suspect, identifieddescribed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an Omani national, was arrested and questioned by Saudi authorities. The United Arab Emirates has opened an investigation into whether the incident was connected to terrorism, while Saudi investigators are cooperating with the UAE, Oman, Israel and the United States.
Netanyahu said preliminary information indicated that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” was suicidal and likely intended to bring down the aircraft. He said final conclusions had not been reached. A regional official told the Associated Press that investigators were considering possibilities including terrorism and mental illness. Israeli security officials cited by Reuters said their initial assessment was that the suspect probably acted alone and that they had not yet found no Iranian involvement.
The injured captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was reported to be in good condition and recovering in hospital.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →