Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in hijacking
The Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Tel Aviv-bound flight earlier this week allegedly used the cockpit’s “crash axe” in the assault and has been identified as a 29-year-old Omani national.
TL;DR
- The co-pilot of Flydubai Flight 1073 allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft and carry out a "terrorist act."
- The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al Hammami, allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar.
- The aircraft rapidly descended over 17,000 feet in less than two minutes.
- Captain Machchhar, despite severe injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to restrain the attacker.
- The plane diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the suspect was arrested.
- Multiple countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, are investigating the incident.
- The UAE attorney general is investigating potential links to a terrorist plot.