Flydubai flight captain describes blocking axe blows from co-pilot as plane descends
On a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, an Omani co-pilot attacked captain Smit Machchhar with an axe. The aircraft plunged 16,000 feet in 30 seconds and was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Two other pilots safely landed the plane. The incident involved 172 people on board.
- The co-pilot intended to hijack and crash the plane in Tel Aviv and obtained security clearance to travel there.
- An Omani national suspect was transferred to the UAE.
- Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot with an axe during a flydubai flight and blocked repeated blows to his head.
- The aircraft dropped 16,000 feet in 30 seconds.
- UAE public prosecutors say the plan was inspired by the September 11 attacks.
- The co-pilot asked the other captain to step out to pray before the attack began.
- The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after the incident.
- Two other pilots landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.
- Flight FZ1073 had 172 people on board.
- The UAE attorney general said the attack was an attempted suicide.
Outlets: ABC News Australia (Top), Al-Monitor, Dawn, Gulf News, La Vanguardia, Mint, NBC News, Stuff, The Guardian, The Japan Times, Times of India (Top), Times of Israel
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