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3 clusters · 21 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Flydubai pilot cockpit attack and recovery

Overview

On September 30, Captain Smit Machhar, a flydubai pilot, was involved in a violent incident during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. While the aircraft was in transit, Machhar was attacked in the cockpit by the co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, who used a crash axe in an attempted terrorist act. Investigators report that al-Hammami caused Machhar to suffer a depressed skull fracture, vision damage, and memory loss. The attacker allegedly attempted to disable the aircraft engines and autopilot, causing the Boeing 737 to drop from 33,000 to 17,000 feet. Reports suggest the intent was to crash the plane into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv, Ben Gurion Airport, or a US military base in Jordan.

Despite his injuries, Machhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing the crew and passengers to intervene and secure the aircraft. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, for an emergency landing, with all 174 passengers and crew surviving. Machhar was subsequently airlifted to the UAE for treatment.

Machhar has been visited in the hospital by the Dubai Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both of whom praised his courage. Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar noted that the attack appeared to target the diplomatic stability of the Abraham Accords.

In response to the incident, three US lawmakers introduced a bipartisan House resolution, House Resolution 1612, to honor Captain Machhar for his actions. The resolution condemns the incident as an act of terrorism and calls for thorough investigations by both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The passengers on board included many Israeli citizens, four US citizens, and 27 children.

Entities

Flydubai · Narendra Modi · Smit Machchhar · Dashashwamedh Ghat · Hamam Al-Hammami

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Dhirendra Shastri praises Captain Smit Machchhar's courage

    Spiritual leader Dhirendra Shastri praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage during a flydubai cockpit attack, noting the pilot used the Hanuman Chalisa to find confidence during the crisis.

  2. [INTERNATIONAL] 16 sources
    Captain Smit Machchhar thwarts mid-air attack on Flydubai flight

    Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar is recovering after thwarting a mid-air attack by his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft into a populated area or military base.

  3. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Prayagraj residents hold prayers for pilot Captain Smit Machhar

    Devotees in Prayagraj held special prayers at Dashashwamedh Ghat for flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machhar, who is hospitalized after saving 174 passengers during a mid-flight attack.

Sources

aajtak.com · bhaskarlive.in · deccanchronicle.com · desitalkchicago.com · edexlive.com · elaviador.do · gulfnews.com · hindutamil.in · kalingatv.com · madhyamamonline.com · navabharat.com · news18.com · news9live.com · newsindialive.in · nineoclock.ro · punjabkesari.com · samacharnama.com · socialnews.xyz · tamilmurasu.com.sg · theshillongtimes.com · tv9hindi.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history