‘Is there a doctor or pilot?’: New video shows chaos on flydubai flight after attack thwarted
An Omani national serving as co-pilot on flydubai Flight 1073 allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a flight to Israel. Passengers, including a plumber named Yaniv Hayoun, intervened as the aircraft entered a dive to prevent the co-pilot from crashing the plane. The UAE and Israel have launched investigations into the incident. While the attacker's specific motive remains unknown, reports suggest a planned attempt to crash the aircraft into a Tel Aviv airport. The event has triggered a review of aviation security measures.
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- ✓ The co-pilot of flydubai Flight 1073 is an Omani national.
- ✓ Indian captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight.
- ✓ The UAE and Israel are both conducting investigations into the attack.
- ✓ Passengers intervened to assist the wounded captain after the aircraft entered a dive.
What changed
The suspected attacker has been identified as an Omani national and passenger Yaniv Hayoun was named as a helper.
Live updates
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Omani Co-pilot Identified After Stabbing Indian Captain on FlyDubai Flight
An Omani national serving as co-pilot on flydubai Flight 1073 allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a flight to Israel. Passengers, including a plumber named Yaniv Hayoun, intervened as the aircraft entered a dive to prevent the co-pilot from crashing the plane. The UAE and Israel have launched investigations into the incident. While the attacker's specific motive remains unknown, reports suggest a planned attempt to crash the aircraft into a Tel Aviv airport. The event has triggered a review of aviation security measures.
Why it matters
The attack occurred on a flight bound for Israel, raising concerns about cockpit security and crew vetting. The intervention of passengers was necessary to secure the aircraft after the captain was wounded.
What is confirmed
- The co-pilot of flydubai Flight 1073 is an Omani national.
- Indian captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during the flight.
- The UAE and Israel are both conducting investigations into the attack.
- Passengers intervened to assist the wounded captain after the aircraft entered a dive.
Still unconfirmed
- The co-pilot planned the attack for months and intended to crash the plane into a Tel Aviv airport.
- The co-pilot should not have been cleared to fly to Israel.
What to watch next
- Results of the UAE and Israeli investigations into the attacker's motive
- Official statements regarding aviation security lapses and crew vetting procedures
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (13)
- The New York Times — Who Is the FlyDubai Pilot Being Hailed as a Hero?
- AP News — Attacker's identity and motive remain unknown after FlyDubai flight to Israel escapes disaster
- Reuters — Israel vows to get to 'root' of flydubai attack, UAE launches investigation
- The Times of Israel — ‘Is there a doctor or pilot?’: New video shows chaos on flydubai flight after attack thwarted
- The Hill — In-flight attack on FlyDubai pilot puts aviation security measures under fresh scrutiny
- abcnews.com — Co-pilot in FlyDubai attack is identified, and other Mideast developments
- www.aljazeera.com — Debris from missing medical plane found, US coastguard says
- www.rd.com — A Plumber Stopped a Plane from Crashing—And He Knew What to Do from a Popular TV Show
- www.livemint.com — ‘He tried to crash the plane:’ New video shows chaos on ...
- www.hindustantimes.com — ‘There’s an extra pilot’: Videos capture flydubai flight ...
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com — 'Is there doctor here? Do we have an extra pilot?' New video ...
- www.cbsnews.com — FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into airport, shouldn't have been cleared to fly to Israel, sources say
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