UAE authorities label Flydubai flight incident a 'terrorist attack'
The UAE prosecutor general has identified the co-pilot, an Omani national named Hammam al-Hammami, as the suspect who allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe during a flight to Tel Aviv. Reports indicate the suspect had been previously barred from flying in Oman due to extremist views, and the incident occurred while the flight was carrying over 170 passengers.
First reported 2 hours ago · latest update 39 minutes ago
The co-pilot of the Flydubai plane travelling to Israel attacked the pilot with a crash axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has said.
The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying more than 170 people plunged more than 17,000ft (5,200m) two and a half hours into its journey.
Capt Smit Machchhar said he was lying on the cockpit floor injured when he realised the plane was sinking and he had to act, explaining: "I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside."
Passengers aboard the aircraft were then able to enter the cockpit and overpower the attacker, while on-duty crew travelling on the flight entered the cockpit and landed the plan safely.
A crash axe is usually kept in the cockpit to be used during emergencies such as crashes.
The UAE attorney general told state media that investigations were ongoing to determine the full circumstances and motives of the incident.
The co-pilot who launched the attack was an Omani national, according to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu told Fox News on Thursday that, after being subdued, the attacker called out to the crew, "Kill me, kill me!"
He added: "So, it's clear that he was suicidal… It looks very likely that he was going to down the plane."
He also said the attacker "underwent Islamist radical indoctrination".
The UAE has begun investigating whether the "incident was linked to any terrorist activity or purpose", according to the country's state news agency.
Machchhar, who was stabbed in the attack, was taken to a nearby hospital before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is reported to be in a stable condition.
He was in "good health and recovering well", the Indian embassy in the UAE said on Thursday.
The pilot said: "I am confident that the recovery will be there and I will become fit and healthy again."
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Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
The flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was carrying more than 170 people when the attack took place.
51 minutes agoFlydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE
Attorney general says ‘terrorist attack’ was attempted by suspect who is said to have been barred from flying by Oman because of extremist viewsThe co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a “terrorist attack” during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said on Saturday, according to a state news agency.The UAE statement cited the attorney general as saying the co-pilot also tried to take control of the plane during Wednesday’s attack on the Israel-bound flight. Passengers and crew intervened to subdue the co-pilot and stabilise the plane. Officials said t…
1 hour ago · Guardian staff and agenciesFlydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe, attempted ‘terrorist’ attack, UAE says
The co-pilot was identified as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami.
1 hour agoFlydubai co-pilot stabbed captain with crash axe in ‘terrorist’ attack: UAE
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2 hours agoflydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Pilot With Cockpit's Crash Axe In 'Terrorist Attack': UAE
Under international aviation regulations, a crash axe is mandatory in every commercial airliner and is kept in the cockpit for use during emergencies such as crashes.
39 minutes agoFlydubai co-pilot 'attacked pilot with axe in suspected terrorist attack', UAE says
The Flydubai co-pilot tried to carry out a terrorist attack during a Tel Aviv-bound flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has said.
2 hours agoCo-pilot attacked Indian captain with crash axe: UAE on flydubai 'terrorist attack'
A shocking incident occurred on a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly launched an attack on the captain with a crash axe, prompting an emergency landing. Passengers reported hearing strange noises and quickly intervened to restrain the assailant and regain control. Authorities are currently investigating the co-pilot's past for extremist links, raising serious concerns about his motivations and state of mind during the flight.
1 hour ago · VIVEK DUBEYCo-pilot attacked flydubai captain with crash axe, tried to take control of plane in terrorist attack: UAE
Copilot attacked flydubai captain with crash axe tried to take control of plane in terrorist attack UAE
1 hour ago