8 hrs ago
UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Crash Axe
The UAE says a co-pilot attacked the captain of a flydubai plane with an emergency axe.
The plane was flying from the UAE toward Israel with many people aboard.
The attack was followed by a sudden drop in the plane’s height.
Passengers and crew helped stop the co-pilot.
Reports say a reserve pilot took control, and the plane landed in Saudi Arabia.
The captain was badly hurt.
Investigators are trying to learn why the attack happened and whether anyone else was involved.
The UAE called it a terrorist attack, while flydubai said the incident was still being investigated.
Reports also say Oman had earlier stopped the co-pilot from flying because of concerns about his views.
The UAE prosecutor general said flydubai flight FZ1073’s co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe and tried to seize control.
The flight was bound for Israel and carried 182 people, according to the UAE account; Reuters reported it had more than 170 passengers and crew.
Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot after the aircraft plunged; accounts say a reserve pilot took control and the plane landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
The captain was seriously injured; the aircraft’s reported altitude drop was about 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds, according to Flightradar24 data.
The UAE-led investigation is examining motive and possible connections; reports say Oman had previously removed the co-pilot from flying duties over concerns about his views.
- Who
- The co-pilot, identified in reports as Hamam or Hammam al-Hammami, and Captain Smit Machchhar; passengers, crew and a reserve pilot also responded.
- What
- The UAE says the co-pilot attacked the captain with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
- Where
- Aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was bound for Israel and landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The incident occurred on Wednesday; the UAE prosecutor general’s account was reported on Saturday.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; investigators are examining possible connections and physical and digital evidence.
Terrorism characterization and security concerns
Caution while the investigation continues
How to characterize the incident
Terrorism characterization and security concerns
The UAE prosecutor general described the alleged attack as an attempted terrorist attack; UAE adviser Anwar Gargash and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also used terrorism-related language.
Caution while the investigation continues
Flydubai said the circumstances remained under investigation and it could not comment further; the motive has not been established.
Hiring and prior flight restrictions
Terrorism characterization and security concerns
Reports say Oman had removed the co-pilot from flying duties over concerns about his views before he was hired by flydubai, prompting questions about how he came to be assigned to the flight.
Caution while the investigation continues
The articles say it was not clear what background and security checks flydubai carried out or what it knew when hiring him.
Key facts
- Flight
- flydubai flight FZ1073
- Reported passengers and crew
- The UAE account cited 182 people aboard; Reuters described more than 170 passengers and crew.
- Route
- The flight was bound from the UAE for Israel.
- Landing
- The aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar was seriously injured, according to reports.
- Aircraft descent
- Flightradar24 data cited by Reuters showed a drop of about 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds.
- Investigation
- The UAE is leading an investigation into the incident, motives and possible connections; Israeli investigators were expected to participate.
- Prior flying status
- Reports say Oman removed the co-pilot from flying duties over concerns about his views and assigned him administrative work.
Quotes
Hamad Saif Al Shamsi
UAE prosecutor general
“On a flight from Dubai to Israel, as they were approaching Israel, there was an attack by one of the pilots against the other pilot. Apparently, he stabbed him, or he hit him with an axe. He was bleeding profusely.”
firstpost.com
“Investigations into the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist attack.”
theprint.in
FlyDubai spokesperson
Spokesperson for the UAE-based airline FlyDubai.
“There are many questions at this stage.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
Flydubai co-pilot attempted ‘terrorist’ attack during flight, UAE says
Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in attempted 'terrorist attack', UAE says – ThePrint – ReutersFeed
UAE Says FlyDubai Co-pilot Attacked Captain with Cockpit's Crash Axe
Flydubai co-pilot used cockpit's crash axe to attack Captain Smit Machchhar: UAE says
‘Terrorist’ attack attempt on flydubai flight, co-pilot tried to seize aircraft: UAE
Flydubai flight FZ1073 co-pilot attacked Indian captain with an axe, UAE probe finds
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