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Why Four Pilots Helped Save Flydubai Flight After Attack
Four pilots were on the plane because the airline worried that the flight might need to take a longer route.
This could have made the original pilots work longer than allowed.
During the flight, the copilot allegedly stabbed the captain.
The plane quickly lost about 14,000 feet of altitude.
Passengers and crew fought the suspected attacker and tied him up.
One of the extra pilots moved to the cockpit and flew the plane.
Another extra pilot was reportedly shocked at first.
The injured captain was treated by a dentist who was also a passenger.
The plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where authorities detained the suspect.
Israeli officials called it terrorism, but Flydubai said the motive had not yet been established.
Two extra pilots were aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 because regional rerouting could have extended the journey beyond the original crew’s permitted duty hours.
The flight reportedly plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after the copilot allegedly stabbed captain Smit Machchhar.
Passengers and crew restrained the suspected attacker while an additional pilot went to the cockpit and took control.
The aircraft transmitted the international 7500 unlawful-interference code and diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Israeli officials called the incident an attempted terror attack, while Flydubai said its investigation was continuing and cautioned against determining a motive.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, the allegedly attacking copilot, two additional pilots, passengers and crew aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073.
- What
- An alleged cockpit stabbing and attempted interference with the aircraft, followed by a safe diversion.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Wednesday; the articles do not specify a calendar date.
- Why
- The extra pilots were aboard to handle possible route extensions caused by regional airspace restrictions and crew-duty limits.
Israeli Officials' Account
Flydubai's Cautious Position
Nature of the incident
Israeli Officials' Account
Israeli officials described the event as a deliberate terror attack and an attempted jihadist attack.
Flydubai's Cautious Position
Flydubai confirmed an altercation on the flight deck but said the incident remained under investigation.
Motive
Israeli Officials' Account
Israeli officials characterized the alleged attack as terrorism.
Flydubai's Cautious Position
Flydubai cautioned against determining a motive before the investigation was complete.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073, a Boeing 737 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Pilots aboard
- Four pilots: the captain, copilot and two additional pilots
- Captain
- Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, who was allegedly stabbed
- Altitude loss
- Nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds
- Emergency signal
- The international 7500 code for unlawful interference
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia
- Suspect
- The alleged attacker was detained after landing
Quotes
Person familiar with the matter
A source cited by the Jerusalem Post regarding the flight’s crew-planning arrangements.
“If something happened over Kuwait and they told you to reroute, then you’re putting one hour, two hours extra on the flight.”
freepressjournal.in
Israeli passenger aboard flight FZ1073
A passenger who helped respond to the alleged cockpit attack.
“I had to shake them to get them to move to the front and take control of the plane, because it was diving.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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