World · Middle East · 5 hrs ago
Flydubai captain recounts surviving co-pilot's axe attack
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar says his co-pilot attacked him with an axe during a flight bound for Tel Aviv in late September.
The Indian pilot was hit in the head and hand as he tried to protect himself and get help from the cockpit.
Another pilot on board entered the flight deck, with help from a crew member and passengers, and they subdued the co-pilot.
The plane plunged during the struggle, then made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot allegedly planned a suicide attack on the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, according to findings released by the Emirati attorney general.
He said he acted alone, but investigators are still checking that claim.
The passengers and crew helped avert a disaster, and Machchhar praised the other pilot's actions.
Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar says his co-pilot attacked him with an emergency axe on a Tel Aviv-bound flight.
Machchhar recalled struggling to open the cockpit door and losing consciousness as the aircraft went into a dive.
Another pilot aboard, assisted by a crew member and passengers, subdued the co-pilot and regained control.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Emirati prosecutors said the co-pilot planned to carry out a suicide attack at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked by his 29-year-old Omani co-pilot. Another pilot aboard, a crew member and passengers helped stop the attack.
- What
- The co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency axe, and the aircraft went into a dive before control was regained.
- When
- Late September; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- On a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Emirati prosecutors said the co-pilot planned a suicide attack on the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, inspired by the September 11 attacks. Investigators were still checking his claim that he acted alone.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The co-pilot attacked Machchhar in the cockpit with an emergency axe, and the aircraft went into a dive.
Another pilot aboard entered the flight deck with help from a crew member and passengers, subdued the co-pilot and regained control.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot
- Co-pilot
- 29-year-old Omani man
- Flight destination
- Tel Aviv
- Emergency landing
- Saudi Arabia
- Alleged target
- Passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv
4 sources
Flydubai captain recalls struggle to open cockpit door during attempted terror attack
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'Do something. You can’t die like this': flydubai pilot Capt Smit Machchar recounts cockpit attack
What people are saying
You can’t die like this.
My vision was restricted to a few inches
I was barely staying in consciousness.
It’s something that I’ll keep with me till I die.