Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
A Flydubai co-pilot attempted to crash a passenger aircraft by attacking the captain with an axe during a flight to Tel Aviv. Passengers intervened to subdue the attacker, and the plane was safely landed by reserve pilots in Saudi Arabia.
Why it matters
This incident raises significant concerns regarding aviation security, pilot mental health screening, and the potential for radicalization in the workplace.
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 some 17,000ft (5,200m) two and a half hours into its journey, before passengers managed to overpower the attacker and take control of the plane.
Capt Smit Machchhar said he was lying on the 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", which allowed the passengers in.
Two reserve pilots then landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
A crash axe is usually kept in the cockpit in case of emergencies.
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