Flydubai captain recounts opening cockpit after co-pilot attack
publishers 115articles 157first reported 1 Oct, 01:09 UTCdeveloping since 1 Oct · 13 editionstop 25 #23
Flydubai Capt Smit Machchhar said he forced himself to open the cockpit door after being attacked by his co-pilot, allowing others to enter and help regain control of a passenger jet that had plunged more than 17,000 feet.
Flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday with 182 people aboard when the co-pilot allegedly struck Machchhar with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the Boeing 737. The aircraft sent an emergency signal and then transmitted squawk code 7500, indicating a hijacking.
Speaking from an Abu Dhabi hospital during a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Machchhar said he was injured and on the cockpit floor when he realized the aircraft was descending. “I was of course fighting for my own life but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die,” he said.
Passengers and crew members subdued the attacker, while other qualified pilots aboard stabilized the aircraft and landed it at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was initially hospitalized in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi. The Indian Embassy in the UAE said Saturday that he was recovering well.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Al Shamsi said the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act. Authorities are examining physical and digital evidence as they investigate the circumstances and motive. Israeli officials have said the suspect was an Omani national and likely acted alone.
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 80 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 115
- Source articles
- 157
- Given to the writer
- 8, 2 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 80 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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