There was chaos on board the flydubai plane going from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot attacked Indian Captain Smit Machar with a knife in the cockpit. After the attack the plane started descending rapidly. Despite being seriously injured, Captain Machar opened the cockpit door, after which the passengers and crew members got a chance to reach inside and control the attacker.
Passengers entered the cockpit as soon as the door opened
After reaching Israel, the passengers informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the incident. According to the passengers, the plane suddenly started descending and sounds of screaming were heard from inside the cockpit. Some passengers tried to open the door, but were initially unsuccessful as the injured Captain Machar fell near the door.
After this, the mosquito opened the lock of the cockpit in the injured state. As soon as the doors opened, passengers and crew members rushed inside. Yaniv Hayoon, a passenger, said he pulled the attacker back and overpowered him, while others also helped him.
The plane descended rapidly from 34 thousand feet
Flight FZ1073 was flying at an altitude of about 34 thousand feet. During the incident, the plane descended to about 17 thousand feet in a short time. Meanwhile, the passengers and crew tried to control the situation by reaching the cockpit. Later one of the reserve pilots present in the aircraft took over the cockpit and the aircraft was taken to a safe landing.
Emergency landing in Tabuk
The plane was diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it made a safe emergency landing. Both Captain Smit Machar and the co-pilot were taken to hospital for treatment. The passengers were later flown to Tel Aviv on another plane. There were a total of 174 passengers on board the plane.
Co-pilot in custody of Saudi authorities
According to Israeli officials, the co-pilot is a citizen of Oman and is being detained and interrogated in Saudi Arabia. The investigation is ongoing as to what was the motive behind the incident. Flydubai has also described the incident as a security matter and appealed to avoid speculation before the investigation is completed.
Passengers told the Indian Captain the important link
After reaching Israel, the passengers described the role of Captain Smit Machar as important. He said that despite the injuries, opening the cockpit door allowed passengers and crew to get inside and helped bring the situation under control. Prime Minister Netanyahu has also publicly praised Machar's courage.
However, initial reports described the incident in different words. Investigating agencies are still trying to find out why the co-pilot attacked and what was his real motive. Therefore, the final conclusion regarding the incident will come only after the investigation is completed.