FlyDubai co-pilot used crash ax to attack captain, UAE says
Washington Post
Washington Post
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UAE authorities revealed that the co-pilot of a FlyDubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv attempted to seize control of the plane by attacking the captain with an emergency crash ax. The incident occurred Wednesday, but the captain managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to take control and make an emergency landing safely in Saudi Arabia.
FlyDubai co-pilot used crash ax to attack captain, UAE says - The Washington Post
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FlyDubai co-pilot used crash ax to attack captain, UAE says
The co-pilot of FlyDubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv attempted to “take control of the aircraft” to carry out a “terrorist act,” UAE officials said.
October 3, 2026 at 4:40 a.m. EDTToday at 4:40 a.m. EDT
1 min
*An FlyDubai plane carrying Israeli passengers who had earlier been aboard another FlyDubai aircraft that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia approaches Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)*
Middle EastChevron right
1 min
By Helier Cheung
The co-pilot who tried to hijack a flight bound for Israel on Wednesday used a crash ax to attack the captain in the cockpit, UAE officials said.
The co-pilot attempted to “take control of the aircraft” and carry out a “terrorist act,” UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said in a statement Saturday, published on the official Emirates News Agency.
FlyDubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv lost half its altitude in less than two minutes on Wednesday when the captain, Smit Machchhar, was attacked by his co-pilot in the cockpit.
Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to take control of the Boeing 737 Max and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. All the passengers were unharmed, while the pilot and co-pilot were hospitalized.
The UAE statement answers one of the questions over potential security lapses that emerged following the incident — how the co-pilot was able to access a weapon on board.
A crash ax is typically kept on planes for use during emergencies.
---
* Gerry Shih and Lior Soroka Pilot on Tel Aviv-bound flight tried to crash plane after cockpit stabbing, Netanyahu says September 30, 2026
* Todd Frankel How cockpit doors have changed amid terrorism attacks September 30, 2026
* Gerry Shih , Lior Soroka and Rachel Chason Co-pilot who tried to crash FlyDubai jet was ‘radicalized,’ Israel says October 1, 2026
* Gerry Shih Attempted hijacking sets off firestorm in Israel amid election race October 2, 2026
* Todd Frankel Good news for nervous fliers: More planes get emergency auto-land tech July 26, 2026
* Cate Cadell Van carrying seven people among two vehicles crushed by Amazon cargo plane in Miami September 7, 2026
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WorldMiddle EastAfricaAmericasAsiaEurope
WorldMiddle EastAfricaAmericasAsiaEurope
FlyDubai co-pilot used crash ax to attack captain, UAE says
The co-pilot of FlyDubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv attempted to “take control of the aircraft” to carry out a “terrorist act,” UAE officials said.
October 3, 2026 at 4:40 a.m. EDTToday at 4:40 a.m. EDT
1 min
*An FlyDubai plane carrying Israeli passengers who had earlier been aboard another FlyDubai aircraft that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia approaches Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Wednesday. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)*
Middle EastChevron right
1 min
By Helier Cheung
The co-pilot who tried to hijack a flight bound for Israel on Wednesday used a crash ax to attack the captain in the cockpit, UAE officials said.
The co-pilot attempted to “take control of the aircraft” and carry out a “terrorist act,” UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said in a statement Saturday, published on the official Emirates News Agency.
FlyDubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv lost half its altitude in less than two minutes on Wednesday when the captain, Smit Machchhar, was attacked by his co-pilot in the cockpit.
Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to take control of the Boeing 737 Max and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. All the passengers were unharmed, while the pilot and co-pilot were hospitalized.
The UAE statement answers one of the questions over potential security lapses that emerged following the incident — how the co-pilot was able to access a weapon on board.
A crash ax is typically kept on planes for use during emergencies.
---
* Gerry Shih and Lior Soroka Pilot on Tel Aviv-bound flight tried to crash plane after cockpit stabbing, Netanyahu says September 30, 2026
* Todd Frankel How cockpit doors have changed amid terrorism attacks September 30, 2026
* Gerry Shih , Lior Soroka and Rachel Chason Co-pilot who tried to crash FlyDubai jet was ‘radicalized,’ Israel says October 1, 2026
* Gerry Shih Attempted hijacking sets off firestorm in Israel amid election race October 2, 2026
* Todd Frankel Good news for nervous fliers: More planes get emergency auto-land tech July 26, 2026
* Cate Cadell Van carrying seven people among two vehicles crushed by Amazon cargo plane in Miami September 7, 2026
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Tags:#الإمارات#فلاي دبي#حادث طائرة#أمن الطيران#إسرائيل#السعودية
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