The Flydubai cockpit attack involving Captain Smit Machchhar has taken a new turn after UAE authorities revealed details about the alleged assault. The co-pilot reportedly attacked the Indian pilot inside the cockpit using a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
The co-pilot has been identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, by multiple news agencies. However, UAE authorities have not officially confirmed his identity.
UAE Prosecutor Reveals Details Of Crash Axe Attack
UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, cited by state news agency WAM, said the accused co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
A crash axe is typically kept inside an aircraft cockpit as emergency equipment and can be used in situations involving aircraft crashes or other emergencies.
Al Shamsi said investigations remain underway to establish the circumstances of the incident, determine the motive and examine any possible connections. Authorities are also examining physical and digital evidence.
His comments were the first from UAE authorities to describe the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
What Happened To Captain Smit Machchhar?
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with 180 passengers on board.
Around two hours into the flight, the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia at an altitude of approximately 33,000 to 34,000 feet when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit.
Despite suffering serious injuries, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot.
The aircraft subsequently experienced a rapid descent. According to flight-tracking data from Flightradar24, the plane dropped approximately 17,000 feet in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai Flight Makes Emergency Landing In Saudi Arabia
Following the cockpit incident, the aircraft was diverted and made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The incident prompted an investigation involving authorities from the UAE and Israel.
Israeli Investigators To Join Probe
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was examining whether the co-pilot had acted under the direction of another person or group.
A day earlier, Netanyahu had identified the suspect as an Omani national and claimed that he had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and appeared suicidal. He also said at the time that a motive had not yet been established.
An Israeli government official told Reuters that Israeli investigators would participate alongside Emirati authorities in the UAE-led investigation.
The probe is expected to examine the circumstances of the attack as well as the suspect’s background, possible motives and any potential connections.
Investigation Into Flydubai Attack Continues
Authorities are continuing to investigate the Flydubai attack and the events that unfolded inside the cockpit.
The investigation will examine physical and digital evidence while authorities seek to establish exactly what happened, why the alleged attack occurred and whether anyone else was connected to the incident.