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Flydubai co-pilot attacks captain with axe on flight to Israel before passengers overpower him
Overview
A Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a dramatic mid-air incident when the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe in an apparent attempt to take control of the aircraft. The plane plunged 17,000 feet before injured Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door for passengers, who successfully subdued the attacker. Two reserve pilots subsequently landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia. Investigations are underway by UAE authorities to determine the motives behind the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested was linked to suicidal intent and Islamist radical indoctrination.
Key points
- A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying over 170 people.
- The aircraft plunged approximately 17,000 feet during the struggle before passengers managed to overpower and tie up the attacker.
- Injured Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door from the inside, enabling passengers to enter and help subdue the co-pilot.
- Two reserve pilots took control and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the attacker was an Omani national who appeared suicidal and underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.
- UAE authorities have launched an investigation to determine if the incident was linked to terrorist activity.