FlyDubai co-pilot stabs captain; crew and passengers prevent mid-air crash
A stabbed FlyDubai captain unlocked the cockpit door, enabling others to prevent a crash near Tel Aviv.
Flight FZ1073 was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar with what looked like an axe.
The plane went into a steep dive. The Boeing 737 dropped almost 5000 metres in 30 seconds.
Despite severe injuries, Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door and called for help. Several other passengers and crew members rushed in and held back the attacker.
Two off-duty pilots on the flight then helped level the plane. This stopped a crash.
The aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot, from Oman, had undergone "radical Islamist indoctrination" and seemed to be trying a suicide attack.
An investigation is underway to find out if the co-pilot had accomplices or any link to Iran.
- 174
- Passengers aboard
- Almost 5000 metres in 30 seconds
- Altitude lost
- Smit Machchhar
- Captain's name
- Saudi Arabia
- Landing location
Why it mattersThe pilot's action and crew coordination stopped a possible terror attack and mass casualty event. It also raises questions about cockpit security protocols on commercial flights.
AustraliaAn Australian couple, Steven and Carol Moss, were aboard. The incident has shaken Australia's Jewish community as it approaches the third anniversary of 7 October.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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