Indian pilot allegedly attacked with axe as co-pilot tries to crash flydubai plane

A flydubai aircraft carrying 174 passengers on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route experienced a violent incident when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with an axe or a large knife, causing the plane to plunge nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Passengers and crew rushed into the cockpit, overpowered the attacker and handed control to two other flydubai pilots who were passengers on the flight, enabling a safe landing in Tabuz, Saudi Arabia.

The captain was hospitalized with serious injuries, while the co-pilot, thought to be an Omani national, was detained by authorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking on one outlet, said investigators would probe the motive and any possible accomplices, but declined to comment on alleged Iranian involvement. Saudi and UAE officials confirmed an ongoing investigation. The incident prompted praise for the captain from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, who called him a hero.