During a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, an Omani co‑pilot wielded a crash axe and struck Captain Smit Machchhar, apparently in a suicide‑attempt to seize control of the aircraft.
The assault occurred about two and a half hours into the journey, as the plane plummeted more than 17,000 feet. Passengers and on‑board crew quickly subdued the attacker, preventing a potentially catastrophic mid‑air takeover.
Captain Machchhar, who sustained stab injuries, was taken to a nearby hospital and later air‑lifted to Abu Dhabi. He is in stable condition and is expected to recover fully.
The UAE Attorney‑General stated investigations are underway to determine the motive and whether the incident links to terrorist activity, citing possible Islamist radical indoctrination.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the attacker “was suicidal” and may have intended to bring the aircraft down. He also mentioned signs of radicalization.
The crash axe, typically stored in the cockpit for emergency use, was used as a weapon in this incident.
Authorities continue to probe the case while the aviation community reviews cockpit security protocols.
