Flydubai captain recounts cockpit stabbing aboard Tel Aviv-bound flight
publishers 75articles 229first reported 30 Sep, 19:57 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 17 editions
Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar has publicly described how he opened the cockpit door after being stabbed by his co-pilot during Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, allowing others aboard to intervene and help prevent a crash.
Speaking by video from an Abu Dhabi hospital with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar said he had collapsed from his wounds and felt the aircraft descending, but managed to reach and unlock the door while the attack continued. Passengers and crew then overpowered the co-pilot, and two other Flydubai pilots aboard the aircraft took control, according to Al Jazeera.
The flight, carrying 174 people, briefly descended about 17,000 feet before stabilizing and making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Everyone aboard survived. The suspected attacker, identified by Deutsche Welle as an Omani national, was arrested after landing. His motive remains under investigation.
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash called the incident a “terrorist act.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot appeared suicidal and had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” while U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran of strikes if it was found to be involved. No Iranian link has been established publicly.
Flydubai said it would conduct a full investigation and suspended Tel Aviv flights until at least October 15. UAE and Israeli authorities are also investigating the attack.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 92 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 75
- Source articles
- 229
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 92 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
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