1 hr ago
Omani Co-Pilot Handed to UAE After Flydubai Cockpit Attack
An Omani co-pilot is accused of attacking the captain on a flydubai airplane.
The plane was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The captain, Smit Machchhar, was hurt during the struggle.
Passengers and other pilots helped stop the attacker.
The plane changed course and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Saudi officials detained the co-pilot and later sent him to the United Arab Emirates.
Captain Machchhar was taken to a hospital in Abu Dhabi and is recovering well.
Investigators are still trying to understand why the attack happened and whether it was connected to terrorism or Iran.
Saudi Arabia transferred the Omani co-pilot to United Arab Emirates authorities after questioning him.
The alleged assault occurred aboard a flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Captain Smit Machchhar was injured but helped prevent the co-pilot from taking control.
The aircraft diverted to Tabuk, where authorities detained the co-pilot after a safe landing.
UAE prosecutors are investigating the motive, cockpit events and possible security or terrorism links.
- Who
- An Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar aboard a flydubai flight; passengers and other pilots helped secure the aircraft.
- What
- The co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
- Where
- The incident occurred in the aircraft's cockpit during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the plane diverted to Tabuk and the captain was treated in Abu Dhabi.
- When
- The aircraft landed in Tabuk on Wednesday, and the pilots were transferred to Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; UAE investigators are examining possible security, terrorism and other explanations.
Established Account
Claims Under Investigation
What happened in the cockpit
Established Account
Reports say the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, possibly using an emergency axe, and that passengers and pilots helped overpower him.
Claims Under Investigation
Authorities are still examining exactly how the assault unfolded and whether the co-pilot attempted to take control of the aircraft or crash it.
Possible motive
Established Account
The UAE is investigating the incident as a criminal case and has not publicly established a motive.
Claims Under Investigation
Donald Trump said the co-pilot could be linked to Iran, while Israel's defense minister called it an attempted jihadist terror attack; these claims remain under investigation.
Who controlled the aircraft after the struggle
Established Account
One account says off-duty pilots traveling as passengers helped divert the aircraft, while another says two on-duty pilots took control.
Claims Under Investigation
Both accounts agree that the plane was ultimately landed safely in Tabuk, but the reports differ on the pilots' roles.
Key facts
- Flight
- flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737 MAX
- Passengers
- 174 passengers, including 170 Israelis
- Incident altitude
- The aircraft was reportedly at 36,000 feet when the attack occurred and later descended to about 16,000 feet.
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.
- Captain's condition
- The Indian mission said Captain Smit Machchhar was in good health and recovering well.
- Investigation
- A specialized UAE prosecution team is investigating the attack and the co-pilot's motive.
Quotes
Indian mission in the UAE
The Indian diplomatic mission in the UAE, which provided a medical update on the captain.
“I would say the answer, based on what I'm hearing, is yes, but we're working on it right now.”
businesstoday.in
“My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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