Flydubai flight lands safely after co-pilot attacks captain
publishers 96articles 138first reported 30 Sep, 22:23 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 22 editionstop 25 #5
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after its co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit and the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet.
Flight FZ1073 was carrying 174 people when it began a steep descent more than two hours after takeoff on Wednesday. Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, said he opened the cockpit door while wounded, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the co-pilot. Flight personnel then regained control and made an emergency landing about an hour later. Both pilots were injured, and the accused co-pilot was taken into Saudi custody after receiving treatment.
The United Arab Emirates has described the incident as an attempted “terrorist operation” and said the co-pilot used an emergency axe while trying to seize control of the aircraft. Investigators have not established a motive or determined whether anyone else was involved. Saudi authorities have questioned the suspect, while the UAE has opened an investigation into the circumstances, possible planning and any connection to terrorism.
Media reports have identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, but authorities have not officially confirmed his identity. The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources, that Omani authorities had previously barred him from flying over alleged concerns about extremist views. It remains unclear whether those concerns were communicated to Flydubai or aviation authorities elsewhere.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 5 with the publisher's own text; 3 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 52 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 96
- Source articles
- 138
- Given to the writer
- 8, 5 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 3
- This version written
- 52 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →