# Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says

https://mins.news/en/item/84464

- BBC News, 2026-10-03 07:49 UTC
- World
- Original: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c61wv7lgex13o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss

> The UAE prosecutor general says a Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a cockpit crash axe while trying to seize control of a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight carrying more than 170 people. The aircraft dropped over 17,000ft before passengers and crew subdued the attacker and landed safely. The injured captain, Smit Machchhar, is reported stable as investigations continue.

## Related coverage

- [Jerusalem Daily: UAE says Flydubai co-pilot attempted ‘terrorist’ attack](https://mins.news/en/item/84781) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-03
- [Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says](https://mins.news/en/video/84689) — BBC News, 2026-10-03
- [FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with ‘axe’ in ‘terrorist’ attempt, UAE prosecutor says](https://mins.news/en/item/84426) — TRT World, 2026-10-03
- [Flydubai co-pilot stabbed pilot with crash axe in ‘terrorist’ attack: UAE](https://mins.news/en/item/84418) — Al Jazeera, 2026-10-03