Flydubai Co-Pilot Used Axe in Alleged Terrorist Attack, UAE Prosecutor Says

The co-pilot of a flydubai flight en route to Israel allegedly used a crash axe to attack the captain and attempt a "terrorist attack" mid-flight, according to the United Arab Emirates' prosecutor general. The incident occurred on flydubai flight FZ1073, which experienced a sudden and severe plunge of over 17,000 feet before passengers and crew intervened to subdue the co-pilot and regain control of the aircraft.

Officials stated that the co-pilot's actions nearly resulted in a crash, with 182 people on board. The captain, identified as Indian pilot Smit Machchhar, sustained injuries but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to overpower the assailant. The UAE prosecutor general also indicated that the co-pilot had reportedly been barred from flying by Oman due to extremist views, raising further questions about pilot screening and security protocols.