Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe during a flight to Israel, causing the plane to lose significant altitude. Passengers and crew intervened to subdue the attacker, who reportedly had suicidal intentions and radicalized views.
Why it matters
This incident highlights critical aviation security concerns regarding cockpit safety and the potential for insider threats in commercial air travel.
Image source, Embassy of India in Israel Image caption, The Indian government has praised captain Smit Machchhar for his "immense courage" during the attack
The co-pilot of the Flydubai plane travelling to Israel attacked the pilot with a crash axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has said.
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying more than 170 people plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) two and a half hours into its journey.
Capt Smit Machchhar said he was lying on the cockpit floor injured when he realised the plane was sinking and he had to act, explaining: "I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside."
Passengers aboard the aircraft were then able to enter the cockpit and overpower the attacker, while on-duty crew travelling on the flight landed the plan safely.
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