UAE says flydubai co-pilot ‘had planned a suicide attack’

The incident caused the plane to plunge 16,000 feet in 30 seconds before the attacker was overpowered.Two other pilots aboard the aircraft subsequently landed it safely in Saudi Arabia.

The suspect was then transferred to the UAE, where flydubai is based.

Saudi Arabia has launched a separate safety investigation into the incident involving flight FZ1073.According to the UAE attorney general, investigators believe the alleged plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

The suspect had reportedly taken two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the route and airport, the state news agency WAM reported.The investigation found that the suspect had met all professional and security requirements during flydubai's recruitment process, including holding a pilot's licence and providing a certificate of good conduct, while the checks revealed no indications of extremist views.UAE authorities have not publicly identified him, although a….

UAE says flydubai co-pilot 'had planned a suicide attack' Reuters | Updated 5 minutes ago | Attorney General reveals suspect studied flight route and airport during two previous trips to Tel Aviv.