Retired Pilot Warns of Terror Cells Within Foreign Airlines After FlyDubai Incident

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson, who also flew for Delta Air Lines for 16 years, has voiced concerns about the possibility of terror cells operating within foreign airlines. His warning comes in the wake of an incident involving a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, where the copilot allegedly attacked the captain.

Patterson stated that it is "certainly a possibility" for terror cells to exist within airline companies, particularly overseas, and that the Department of Justice should investigate the matter. The FlyDubai flight, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members, was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the alleged assault. Investigators are examining potential motives, including terrorism and mental health issues.

"If you’ve got somebody that’s, you know, radicalized and if he doesn’t tell his company or his buddies, you’re never gonna know," Patterson explained. He noted that current protocols often rely on self-reporting, which can be a vulnerability. "So that's part of the problem, I think, that we're going to start seeing pop up in airline profiles and pilot profiles is we have a lot of people out there that probably shouldn't be flying airplanes."

The incident reportedly involved a crash ax found in the cockpit, which Patterson described as a brutal weapon. He explained that a crash ax is standard equipment on a Boeing 737, used for emergencies to breach doors or windows. "If the copilot used the crash ax, that is savage because that thing will hurt you."

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the FlyDubai copilot may have undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination," though investigations were ongoing to determine potential ties to Iran. President Donald Trump also expressed belief in such ties.

Patterson highlighted that international and some domestic carriers cast a wide net when hiring aircrew, which can sometimes attract undesirable individuals. He has communicated his concerns to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. While background checks, medical history, and aviation violations are typically scrutinized, Patterson cautioned that detecting personality changes or radicalization after a pilot is hired can be challenging.

He also pointed out the challenge of crew familiarity, noting that pilots often fly with colleagues they do not know well, making it difficult to assess their mental state. "You never know what you're going to bring to the table, what you gonna find in the cockpit next to you when you first get to the cockpit, because we don't fly with the same guys multiple times – we fly with different people almost every single time," Patterson said. He emphasized the importance of initial conversations in the cockpit to gauge a colleague's background and well-being, though he acknowledged that not all issues can be uncovered.

Patterson believes a security loophole exists concerning the crash ax in the cockpit, irrespective of random screening at airports. He described how a pilot could easily access the ax while standing to stretch in the cramped 737 cockpit, potentially to commit an assault. "It's right there... And it would be very easy for the copilot just to reach down while standing up and grab that ax. I mean, I can see it happening, and God forbid if it did because that's brutal."

The incident underscores the need for the U.S. to scrutinize not only domestic airline hiring but also foreign crews operating in American airspace. "I think the United States needs to take a close look at not only who we are allowing to operate heavy machinery in this country, and by heavy machinery, I mean aviation, airplanes," Patterson urged. "Who we are hiring and putting into those positions of authority, and then more importantly, who are we allowing from the other carriers to fly into our airspace?"

Netanyahu noted that the FlyDubai copilot was an Omani national who bypassed Israeli restrictions against pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel through a "loophole." Patterson concluded that while 9/11 significantly impacted aviation security, continuous efforts are needed to ensure airline safety, as both crew members and passengers can pose unpredictable risks.