Indian captain describes fight to save Flydubai flight after cockpit attack
publishers 101articles 127first reported 1 Oct, 01:09 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 13 editionstop 25 #4
Indian pilot Smit Machchhar has described how he opened the cockpit door while severely injured during an attack aboard a Flydubai flight, allowing others to enter and subdue his co-pilot as the aircraft descended sharply.
Flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv early Wednesday with more than 170 passengers when it plunged more than 17,000 feet, according to the BBC and The Guardian. The plane sent an emergency signal and later transmitted squawk code 7500, indicating a hijacking.
Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a televised video call Friday that he had collapsed after being stabbed but made a “last push” to open the cockpit door after realizing passengers could die. Passengers and crew then overpowered the attacker, while two reserve pilots aboard the flight stabilized the aircraft and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
Machchhar, a pilot with 17 years of experience, was treated in Tabuk before being transferred to an Abu Dhabi hospital, where he was reported in stable condition. Modi praised his courage and quick decisions.
Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot, identified by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as an Omani national. Netanyahu said an initial inquiry indicated the suspect had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination, but the motive and any organizational links remain under investigation. The United Arab Emirates is examining whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity and is cooperating with other authorities.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 2 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 32 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 101
- Source articles
- 127
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 32 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.
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