The Newshound

Flydubai captain who was struck with an axe by his co-pilot tells how he fought to open the cockpit door

Flydubai captain who was struck with an axe by his co-pilot tells how he fought to open the cockpit door

Capt Smit Machchhar thought the aircraft's structure had collapsed onto him when the first blow landed. Speaking from Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi, he said his vision shrank to outlines before he fell face down. The jet dropped 16,000ft in 30 seconds over Saudi airspace. UAE prosecutors say the Omani co-pilot planned a 9/11-inspired strike on Ben Gurion airport.

Passengers and off-duty crew restrained the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, once the door opened.

All 180 people on board walked off unhurt after an emergency landing in Tabuk.

Machchhar said the 'scariest thing' was hearing the engines spooling down.

MoreThe GuardianFlydubai captain describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked himReutersFlydubai captain recounts attempted hijackingReutersCaptain of flydubai plane describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attackedOpen Magazine‘Tried to Block the Blows, My Vision Narrowed’: Capt Smit Machchhar Recounts flydubai Attack - Open MagazineLatestLYWorld News | Tried to Block the Blows...Vision Narrowed, I Lost Consciousness: Capt Smit Machchhar Recalls Flydubai Mid-air AttackNews On AIRCaptain Smit Machchhar reveals more details of the flydubai incident; says he hopes to return to action soon - News On AIRThe TimesFlydubai pilot ‘refused to give up as attacker struck with axe’
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →