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● LIVE Updated 3h ago · 17 sources tracked

Captain of flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked

Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar has detailed how he blocked axe blows to his head and screamed for help while fighting off a co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month. Machchhar recounted telling himself he could not die as the attacker kept hitting him while trying to crash the aircraft. The UAE attorney general stated the co-pilot intended to commit suicide by crashing the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. The airliner plunged 16,000 feet over Saudi airspace before landing safely.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ Capt Smit Machchhar described blocking axe blows to the head and screaming for help as he reached to open the cockpit door on flight FZ1073.
  • ✓ The UAE attorney general stated that the co-pilot intended to commit suicide by crashing the plane into Ben Gurion Airport.
  • ✓ The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month when the attack caused the airliner to plunge 16,000 feet over Saudi airspace before landing safely.
  • ✓ Two Maldivian Flydubai pilots are held in the UAE over the alleged aircraft attack plot.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 17 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Capt Smit Machchhar publicly described the cockpit struggle and the efforts to stop the axe assault.

Live updates

  1. Flydubai Captain Details Cockpit Axe Attack

    Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar has detailed how he blocked axe blows to his head and screamed for help while fighting off a co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month. Machchhar recounted telling himself he could not die as the attacker kept hitting him while trying to crash the aircraft. The UAE attorney general stated the co-pilot intended to commit suicide by crashing the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. The airliner plunged 16,000 feet over Saudi airspace before landing safely.

    Why it matters

    The incident on flight FZ1073 highlights vulnerabilities in flight deck security and crew dynamics during mid-air emergencies. The United Arab Emirates authorities are holding two Maldivian Flydubai pilots over the alleged aircraft attack plot. Capt Machchhar has received widespread praise for thwarting the disaster with the assistance of passengers on board.

    What is confirmed

    • Capt Smit Machchhar described blocking axe blows to the head and screaming for help as he reached to open the cockpit door on flight FZ1073.
    • The UAE attorney general stated that the co-pilot intended to commit suicide by crashing the plane into Ben Gurion Airport.
    • The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv last month when the attack caused the airliner to plunge 16,000 feet over Saudi airspace before landing safely.
    • Two Maldivian Flydubai pilots are held in the UAE over the alleged aircraft attack plot.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Specific details on how the passenger intervention unfolded inside the cabin remain limited outside of survivor accounts.

    What to watch next

    • Official findings from the UAE investigation into the detained Maldivian pilots.
    • Any additional legal charges filed against the suspects.
    Sources used for this update (17)
    1. Homeland Security Today — Two Maldivian Flydubai Pilots Held in UAE Over Alleged Aircraft Attack Plot
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    5. www.stuff.co.nz — Death of 87-year-old Maricarmen is reenergizing Spain's protests to stop evictions | Stuff
    6. The Times of Israel — Flydubai captain recalls struggle to open cockpit door during attempted terror attack
    7. WMUR — FlyDubai passenger who survived hijacking attempt speaks in Newington
    8. The Guardian — Flydubai captain describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked him
    9. The Times of India — 'He kept on hitting': Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar reveals what happened mid-flight as he was stabbed
    10. Reuters — Captain of flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked
    11. Yahoo — Hero Flydubai pilot speaks out
    12. www.theguardian.com — Flydubai captain describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot ...
    confidence 95%
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