Flydubai pilot recounts fighting off cockpit attack on flight
Indian captain Smit Machchhar says his co-pilot attacked him in the cockpit of a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, and a plumber helped regain control.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
A flydubai co-pilot attacked captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit of flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to the captain. Machchhar said he screamed for help and blocked axe blows as he reached for the cockpit door. A plumber named Hayoun reportedly broke into the cockpit, beat and pinned down the co-pilot, and brought the aircraft under control.
Why it matters
Leaders of Israel and India hailed Machchhar as a hero for saving passengers.
Timeline
- Oct 18, 1:27 PM ET: Machchhar said he screamed for help and blocked axe blows as the co-pilot attacked him.
- Oct 19, 2:40 AM ET: Hayoun, a plumber, said he broke into the cockpit, beat and pinned down the co-pilot, and then brought the aircraft under control.
Coverage
- "Can Plumber Land Aircraft': flydubai Indian Pilot On Role Of Israeli Hero (NDTV)
- Captain of flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked (CTV News)
- Flydubai captain describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked him (The Guardian)
- Indian pilot Smit Machchhar smiles in an unidentified location (Lufkin Daily News)
- ‘You can’t die like this’: Indian pilot Machchhar recounts cockpit attack, fight to survive in flydubai flight (The Hindu)
- ‘You can’t die like this’: FlyDubai pilot recalls attack in first interview (CTV News)
- 'He kept on hitting': Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar reveals what happened mid-flight as he was stabbed (Times of India)
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