What changed in this update
Capt Smit Machchhar tells Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi he opened the cockpit door to let others in during the attack.
Event intelligence
FlyDubai cockpit attack and emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia
7 connected story threads
Current state
A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after its Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe in the cockpit; passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and the plane landed safely. The UAE has called the incident an attempted 'terrorist attack', and ongoing investigations now indicate the attacker intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
Grounded in 7 reports across 6 sources
What changed
Investigators now believe the FlyDubai co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.
In this event FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash aircraft into Tel Aviv airport Jerusalem Daily: UAE says Flydubai co-pilot attempted ‘terrorist’ attack Netanyahu warns ‘very heavy price’ if any power behind flydubai incident FlyDubai 'hero' pilot speaks for first time 'Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says Live Updates: Clash in Cockpit Prompts Distress Signal on Israel-Bound Flight
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Source coverage
Source reports
NYTimes – World NYT
Indian Pilot Stabbed on FlyDubai Flight Recalls Sudden Attack
Capt. Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by his co-pilot midair between Dubai and Tel Aviv, said he “had to act” to prevent a crash despite serious injuries.
Al Jazeera
Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit stabbing in call with Indian PM Modi
Smit Machchhar recalls midair disaster after co-pilot's attack on Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv.
NYTimes – World NYT
‘I Couldn’t Let All of Them Die’: Pilot on FlyDubai Flight Recalls Sudden Attack
Capt. Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by his co-pilot midair between Dubai and Tel Aviv, said he “had to act” to prevent a crash despite serious injuries.
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BBC News – World BBC
'I was not going to let others die' - pilot of Flydubai flight describes cockpit attack by co-pilot
Capt Smit Machchhar tells Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi he opened the cockpit door to let others in during the attack.
Guardian
‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls flydubai cockpit attack
Smit Machchhar says in video call with Indian PM that he realised if he did not get up ‘passengers would lose their lives’ The Indian pilot who helped thwart an apparent attempt to crash a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv said his faith and his desire to save his passengers allowed him to make a “last push” to open the cockpit door as he fought his life. Capt Smit Machchhar, who was recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, d…
Euronews
'I was fighting for my life': FlyDubai captain recalls cockpit attack
Still recovering in hospital, the pilot who helped prevent a tragedy on a FlyDubai flight has spoken publicly about the moment he fought to regain control of the cockpit. Capt. Smit Machchhar says he was “fighting for his life” but knew he had to get back up as the aircraft began its steep descent.
