BND - FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in attempted terrorist attack

🗞️ Story file #3

FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in attempted terrorist attack

Oct 2, 5 PM ET to Oct 6, 7 PM ET · 1 outlet not rated for lean

49outlets carried it
🫏19 · 12 · 17🐘left · center · right
4.1 dayson the front pages
45front pages at once, at its peak
47 minof TV captions
13radio newscasts
19people retold it online
2fact-checks
1 of 2parts of a saga

👣 How this story traveled: from the front pages that broke it, out through TV, radio and the shows, into what people retold and what fact-checkers examined, and on into the saga it is part of. Everything here is matched to the story by our tools, so a link can be wrong; the trackers' pages say how each is made.

Oct 2, 5 PM ETfirst on a front page: ABC News
Oct 4, 9 AM ETpeak: on 45 front pages
Oct 4, 2 PM ETretold online by 19 people
Oct 4, 3 PM ETfirst on the radio: NPR News Now
Oct 4, 9 PM ETfirst on TV: BBC News

the front pages that ran it, hour by hour

Front pages carrying it at each hourly run, Oct 4, 9 AM to Oct 6, 7 PM ET (peak 45), by the outlets' lean: left · center · right · not rated

Who carried it and when: each outlet in the order it picked the story up, a bar for each headline from when we first saw it on the front page to when we last did, in the outlet's lean color (dashed: not rated); a dot marks a new headline. Beneath, its captions on TV, the radio newscasts that carried it (bigger: the lead) and when people were found retelling it. Hover for details.

📡 wire copy: 3 outlets ran the AP, Reuters headline nearly word for word (HuffPost, News Nation, Newsmax)

💬 quoted: “lone wolf”

🗣️ only one side says: 🫏 airport sources

✏️ 36 outlets ran more than one headline on it (reworded, or a follow-up)

ABC News (8 wordings): “FlyDubai flight passenger details treating wounded pilot after tying up suspect” → “FlyDubai was to crash into airport, sources say”
AP (5 wordings): “In-flight attack on FlyDubai pilot puts aviation security measures under fresh scrutiny” → “Who are the mystery men who stepped in to keep the FlyDubai plane from crashing? - AP News”
BBC (2 wordings): “Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says” → “Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport or building, reports say”
Bloomberg (7 wordings): “FlyDubai Pilots Taken to UAE as Investigators Look for Clues” → “FlyDubai Hijacking Turns Into Flashpoint in Israeli Election”
Breitbart (5 wordings): “UAE Calls Flydubai Attack ‘Terrorist Act’ for First Time as Israel Probes if Hijacker ‘Was Sent’” → “Flydubai Co-Pilot Asked to Pray, Then Axed Captain — Al-Qaeda Urges Attacks”
CBS News (5 wordings): “More details emerge about FlyDubai co-pilot who tried to crash plane Questions about the motive of the co-pilot who tried to crash a packed flight from Dubai to Israel continue to swirl.” → “FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash jet into Israeli airport, official says”
CNN (8 wordings): “Hero Flydubai pilot: ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die’” → “Alleged Flydubai hijacker likely wanted to target Israel’s main airport, sources say”
Chicago Tribune (2 wordings): “‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack” → “Axe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot identified as Omani national with previous extremism concerns”
Financial Times (2 wordings): “Co-pilot used axe to carry out ‘terrorist act’ on Flydubai flight” → “Australian authorities probe Flydubai attacker’s links to the country”
Fox News (7 wordings): “Hero pilot reveals split-second decision as FlyDubai jet plunged thousands of feet” → “FlyDubai co-pilot allegedly planned to crash Israel-bound jet at Ben Gurion Airport”
Google News (5 wordings): “Flydubai pilot attacked captain with cockpit’s crash axe in attempted terrorist attack, UAE official says - NBC News” → “Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says - BBC”
HuffPost (2 wordings): “FlyDubai Co-Pilot Who Nearly Crashed Plane Was Barred From Flying By Oman Over Extremism Concerns” → “Investigators: FlyDubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Ax”
Independent Journal Review (4 wordings): “Co-Pilot Allegedly Stabs Flydubai Captain, Plane Lands Safely” → “Flydubai Co-Pilot Identified After Cockpit Axe Attack”
Los Angeles Times (3 wordings): “Wounded FlyDubai captain recounts fight to save passengers” → “FlyDubai copilot wielded cockpit’s emergency ax in ‘terrorist attack,’ officials say”
NBC News (12 wordings): “Some of world’s strictest aviation security measures are under fresh scrutiny after in-flight attack” → “Flydubai pilot planned a 9/11-style attack on Tel Aviv airport, source says”
NPR (2 wordings): “Emirati investigators say FlyDubai co-pilot used crash axe in attempted terrorist attack” → “FlyDubai attacker intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, investigation finds”
National Review (2 wordings): “Was the Flydubai Hijacking the Latest Iranian Plot Against the West?” → “The Week: A Near-Disaster on FlyDubai”
New York Post (7 wordings): “Hero plumber who stopped co-pilot from crashing flydubai plane has special message for Trump” → “Copycat chaos Wannabe flydubai hijacker planned to crash plane into Israeli tower in 9/11-like attack”
New York Times (2 wordings): “Indian Pilot Stabbed on FlyDubai Flight Recalls Sudden Attack” → “Omani Co-Pilot on FlyDubai Flight Is Said to Have Extremist Views”
News Nation (4 wordings): “Hero FlyDubai pilot prays during cockpit attack, sends message to his children” → “Alleged FlyDubai hijacker planned to target Israel airport”
Newsmax (9 wordings): “FlyDubai Pilot: 'I Could Feel the Aircraft Going Down'” → “Israel Was Ready to Shoot Down FlyDubai Plane”
Newsweek (2 wordings): “FlyDubai Co-Pilot Had Previously Been Flagged as Security Risk: Reports” → “Who Is Hamam Al Hammami? FlyDubai Co-Pilot Alleged Attacker ID’d: Reports”
One America News Network (2 wordings): “‘I had so many wounds’: Flydubai pilot credited with preventing hijacking recounts harrowing attack” → “UAE: Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with an axe in ‘attempted terror attack’”
PBS NewsHour (2 wordings): “Investigators search for motive after alleged attack by FlyDubai co-pilot” → “AP report: Axe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns”
Red State (5 wordings): “FlyDubai Co-Pilot Was Banned From Flying in Oman Due to Extremist Views; Why Did UAE Allow Him?” → “Terrorism FlyDubai Attacker Reveals Why He Waited Until the Plane Was Near Israel to Attack Captain Jennifer Van Laar”
Reuters (8 wordings): “Israeli officials to question co-pilot of flydubai flight, source says” → “Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before joining airline, two Israeli officials say”
Straight Arrow News (3 wordings): “FlyDubai hero pilot recounts cockpit attack; Letitia James takes over Cornell case” → “FlyDubai co-pilot was reportedly flagged before attack. So how was he cleared to fly?”
The Daily Wire (2 wordings): “Oman Banned FlyDubai Co-Pilot Over ‘Radical’ Views Before Cockpit Attack” → “UAE To Seek Death Penalty For Flydubai Terrorist: REPORT”
The Epoch Times (4 wordings): “Co-Pilot Used Crash Axe in Attempted Terrorist Attack on Israel-Bound Flight, UAE Says” → “Israel Officials Disclose Suspected Intention of Flydubai Co-Pilot”
The Guardian (2 wordings): “Flydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE” → “Flydubai co-pilot originally planned attack for July, investigators believe”
The Hill (3 wordings): “Flydubai pilot on cockpit attack: ‘I was fighting for my life’” → “Netanyahu: Co-pilot tried to crash plane after cockpit stabbing”
The Independent (3 wordings): “FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe in failed ‘terror plot’ says UAE” → “Investigators believe Flydubai co-pilot acted as ‘lone wolf’ – report”
The Washington Times (2 wordings): “Co-pilot accused in FlyDubai attack was previously flagged as a security risk, officials say” → “Report: Omani pilot intended to crash passenger jet into Tel Aviv skyscraper”
Townhall (4 wordings): “Don't Let Flydubai Terror Scare Derail Abraham Accords Progress” → “There's a New Twist in the FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt”
Washington Examiner (4 wordings): “Pilot stabbed during Flydubai flight describes moment he opened cockpit” → “Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in hijacking”
Yahoo News (2 wordings): “Flydubai pilot who opened cockpit door during attack details how it happened” → “'I was not going to let others die' - pilot of Flydubai flight describes cockpit attack by co-pilot”

Every outlet's first headline (49), left to right by AllSides rating

HuffPost FlyDubai Co-Pilot Who Nearly Crashed Plane Was Barred From Flying By Oman Over Extremism Concerns Oct 3, 8 AM ET
The Guardian Flydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE Oct 3, 8 AM ET
ABC News FlyDubai flight passenger details treating wounded pilot after tying up suspect Oct 2, 5 PM ET
AP In-flight attack on FlyDubai pilot puts aviation security measures under fresh scrutiny Oct 2, 5 PM ET
CBS News More details emerge about FlyDubai co-pilot who tried to crash plane Questions about the motive of the co-pilot who tried to crash a packed flight from Dubai to Israel continue to swirl. Oct 3, 8 AM ET
CNBC FlyDubai plane attack by co-pilot was an attempted 'terrorist' act, UAE says Oct 3, 8 AM ET
CNN Hero Flydubai pilot: ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die’ Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Drudge Report FLYDUBAI Attacker Had Been Banned From Flying by Oman for Radical Views... Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Google News Flydubai pilot attacked captain with cockpit’s crash axe in attempted terrorist attack, UAE official says - NBC News Oct 3, 8 AM ET
Los Angeles Times Wounded FlyDubai captain recounts fight to save passengers Oct 3, 8 AM ET
Military.com ‘I Was Fighting for My Life’: Indian Pilot Hailed as Hero Recalls FlyDubai Cockpit Attack Oct 2, 5 PM ET
NBC News Some of world’s strictest aviation security measures are under fresh scrutiny after in-flight attack Oct 2, 5 PM ET
NPR Emirati investigators say FlyDubai co-pilot used crash axe in attempted terrorist attack Oct 3, 8 AM ET
New York Times Indian Pilot Stabbed on FlyDubai Flight Recalls Sudden Attack Oct 2, 5 PM ET
PBS NewsHour Investigators search for motive after alleged attack by FlyDubai co-pilot Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Semafor Israel probes if FlyDubai pilot stabbing was attempted terror attack Oct 2, 5 PM ET
The Independent FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe in failed ‘terror plot’ says UAE Oct 3, 10 AM ET
Time What the Flydubai Incident Reveals About When a Pilot Becomes the Threat Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Yahoo News Flydubai pilot who opened cockpit door during attack details how it happened Oct 2, 5 PM ET
BBC Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says Oct 3, 8 AM ET
Bloomberg FlyDubai Pilots Taken to UAE as Investigators Look for Clues Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Chicago Tribune ‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Financial Times Co-pilot used axe to carry out ‘terrorist act’ on Flydubai flight Oct 3, 8 AM ET
Fortune FlyDubai co-pilot used cockpit’s crash axe to try seizing control of flight and was barred from flying by Oman due to concerns over extremist views Oct 3, 12 PM ET
News Nation Hero FlyDubai pilot prays during cockpit attack, sends message to his children Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Newsweek FlyDubai Co-Pilot Had Previously Been Flagged as Security Risk: Reports Oct 3, 8 AM ET
Reuters Israeli officials to question co-pilot of flydubai flight, source says Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Scripps News World News ‘I couldn’t let everybody else die’: Flydubai pilot speaks out for first time Rhea Mogul, Ayushi Shah, CNN Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Straight Arrow News FlyDubai hero pilot recounts cockpit attack; Letitia James takes over Cornell case Oct 3, 5 PM ET
CS Monitor Recounting cockpit struggle on FlyDubai flight, Israeli passengers return home Israeli passengers say one of the pilots on a FlyDubai flight carried out an attempted terrorist attack, and tell of a terrifying plummet. By Ilan Ben Zion / 3 min Oct 2, 5 PM ET
The Hill Flydubai pilot on cockpit attack: ‘I was fighting for my life’ Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Just the News FlyDubai co-pilot used cockpit emergency ax in attempted attack: report Oct 3, 5 PM ET
National Review Was the Flydubai Hijacking the Latest Iranian Plot Against the West? Oct 3, 8 AM ET
The Epoch Times Co-Pilot Used Crash Axe in Attempted Terrorist Attack on Israel-Bound Flight, UAE Says Oct 3, 11 AM ET
The Sun CHILLING PLOT Flydubai 'hijacker wanted to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport' Oct 4, 9 PM ET
The Washington Times Co-pilot accused in FlyDubai attack was previously flagged as a security risk, officials say Oct 3, 10 AM ET
Washington Examiner Pilot stabbed during Flydubai flight describes moment he opened cockpit Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Breitbart UAE Calls Flydubai Attack ‘Terrorist Act’ for First Time as Israel Probes if Hijacker ‘Was Sent’ Oct 3, 8 AM ET
Fox News Hero pilot reveals split-second decision as FlyDubai jet plunged thousands of feet Oct 2, 5 PM ET
IJR Co-Pilot Allegedly Stabs Flydubai Captain, Plane Lands Safely Oct 2, 5 PM ET
New York Post Hero plumber who stopped co-pilot from crashing flydubai plane has special message for Trump Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Newsmax FlyDubai Pilot: 'I Could Feel the Aircraft Going Down' Oct 2, 5 PM ET
OAN ‘I had so many wounds’: Flydubai pilot credited with preventing hijacking recounts harrowing attack Oct 2, 5 PM ET
PJ Media FlyDubai Hijacker Wanted to Crash Into Tel Aviv Airport to Maximize Casualties Oct 5, 11 AM ET
Red State FlyDubai Co-Pilot Was Banned From Flying in Oman Due to Extremist Views; Why Did UAE Allow Him? Oct 3, 8 AM ET
The Daily Wire Oman Banned FlyDubai Co-Pilot Over ‘Radical’ Views Before Cockpit Attack Oct 3, 8 AM ET
The Gateway Pundit FlyDubai Pilot Speaks Out About Moment He Made Heroic Decision That Saved Passengers (Video) Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Townhall Don't Let Flydubai Terror Scare Derail Abraham Accords Progress Oct 2, 5 PM ET
RFE/RL 'I Don’t Want To Die': Flydubai Passenger Recounts Saving Stabbed Pilot Oct 2, 5 PM ET

TV, radio, and the shows that talked about it

📺 On TV

BBC News17 min

CNN17 min

Fox News13 min

Reports: Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane BBC News, 6 min
Questions over Flydubai pilot security vetting BBC News, 5 min
ISRAELI SOURCES: CO-PILOT ACCUSED OF ATTACK LIKELY ACTED ALONE CNN, 4 min
SOURCES: ALLEGED FLYDUBAI HIJACKER LIKELY WANTED TO TARGET ISRAEL'S BEN GURION AIRPORT CNN, 4 min
FLYDUBAI ATTACK PROBED FOR POSSIBLE TERROR LINK Fox News, 2 min
Reports: Flydubai co-pilot was a lone wolf extremist BBC News, 2 min
SOURCES: ISRAEL'S MAIN AIRPORT WAS SUSPECT'S LIKELY TARGET CNN, 2 min
Report: Alleged hijacker avoided Foreign Office vetting BBC News, 2 min

📻 On the radio

ABC News Update, Oct 5, 7:32 PM ET: story 4 of 5
NPR News Now, Oct 5, 2:09 PM ET: the lead
ABC News Update, Oct 5, 11:32 AM ET: story 2 of 3
ABC News Update, Oct 5, 10:32 AM ET: the lead
ABC News Update, Oct 5, 9:32 AM ET: the lead
NPR News Now, Oct 5, 8:10 AM ET: the lead
NPR News Now, Oct 5, 12:10 AM ET: the lead
ABC News Update, Oct 4, 9:32 PM ET: story 2 of 4
ABC News Update, Oct 4, 7:32 PM ET: story 3 of 5
ABC News Update, Oct 4, 6:32 PM ET: story 2 of 3
ABC News Update, Oct 4, 6:05 PM ET: story 5 of 9
NPR News Now, Oct 4, 5:10 PM ET: story 3 of 5

🎙️ Shows, investigators, satire

🎙️ 🎙️ BBC Global News Podcast 🎙️ Up First (NPR) 🎙️ Reuters World News

🃏 The Babylon Bee

what people online made of it

🧶 Retold online

A FlyDubai co-pilot attempted to take control of a plane and crash it into Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport after attacking the captain with a crash axe. Oct 6: told by 13 people; told before on Oct 5
An Omani co-pilot attempted to hijack a FlyDubai flight and planned to crash it into Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. Oct 4: told by 6 people

On Folklore: the latest in full, with their motifs and who is telling them.

🗣️ names in it: FlyDubai Al-Qaeda Tel Aviv

what the fact-checkers looked into

the running story it belongs to

🧵 FlyDubai co-pilot terror probe

FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in attempted terrorist attack (this story)
Oct 2, 5 PM ET
Australian authorities investigate Flydubai co-pilot's ties to country
Oct 5, 7 AM ET

FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in attempted terrorist attack

📰 Spread

📡 Broadcast

📺 On TV

📻 On the radio

🎙️ Shows, investigators, satire

🧶 Retelling

🧶 Retold online

🔎 Checking

🧵 Persistence

🧵 FlyDubai co-pilot terror probe