Concerns Raised Over Airline Security After FlyDubai Incident

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson, who once carried the nuclear football for former President Bill Clinton, has expressed concerns about potential terror cells within foreign airlines. This comes after a FlyDubai copilot allegedly attacked the captain of a flight to Israel, causing the plane to dive dangerously.

Patterson highlighted the possibility that terrorist groups could infiltrate airline companies overseas more easily than in the U.S. He emphasized the importance of the Department of Justice looking into this issue urgently.

A FlyDubai flight from the UAE to Tel Aviv had to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the copilot reportedly attacked the captain with a crash ax. This incident, involving 174 passengers and eight crew members, has raised questions about possible terrorism or mental health factors.

The pilot, Capt. Smit Machchhar, was praised for unlocking the cockpit door during the attack, ensuring passenger safety. Patterson noted that radicalized individuals could potentially hide their intentions from employers, and this poses a risk to airline safety.

Patterson, speaking from his experience as a former Delta Air Lines pilot, explained that every Boeing 737 has a crash ax in the cockpit for emergencies. The use of such a tool in an attack is particularly concerning.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned on “FOX & Friends” that the copilot may have undergone Islamist radical indoctrination. Investigation might reveal connections to Iran, according to President Donald Trump.

Patterson stressed the importance of thorough background checks for pilots but acknowledged that changes in personality or radicalization are challenging to identify. Pilots fly with different colleagues regularly, which complicates assessing fellow crew members’ mental health.

A potential security loophole exists due to the placement of the 737 crash ax in the cockpit, Patterson warned. This tool could be easily accessed and misused by someone standing in the cockpit.

He urged the U.S. to scrutinize both domestic airline hires and foreign crews allowed into American airspace. It is crucial to ensure that those in positions of authority in aviation are properly vetted.

The FlyDubai copilot, an Omani national, managed to bypass an Israeli restriction due to a loophole. Following the changes brought by 9/11, Patterson emphasized that there is still more work to be done in airline security.

Patterson concluded by highlighting that some companies perform security checks and vetting better than others, stressing the importance of consistent and thorough security measures.