Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Crash Axe, UAE Says
thehumanfrontlineo
Oct 3
1 min read
Date:3/10/2026
The Human Frontline
The UAE prosecutor general says the co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
The plane, carrying more than 170 people, plunged more than 17,000 feet during the incident before passengers and crew intervened. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries, allowing others to restrain the attacker. The aircraft was later diverted and landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Indian authorities have praised Machchhar for his courage. The UAE says investigations are continuing into the circumstances, motive and any possible connections behind the attack.
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