Flydubai Crash

FlyDubai cockpit attack puts aviation security under fresh scrutiny

Israel has some of the world's most stringent air travel security measures. The United Arab Emirates proudly adheres to international aviation safety standards. Yet those safeguards failed to prevent a flight between the countries from taking a dangerous plunge during an alleged attack in the cockpit. The copilot allegedly stabbed the captain in the cockpit before passengers intervened aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 after taking off from Dubai, UAE, with 174 people flying to Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday. The airplane made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday and the incident is under investigation by Saudi, Emirati and Israeli authorities, with the United States and Oman assisting efforts to determine a motive. "Until this event, the possibility of a threat originating from a pilot or crew member was not considered a likely scenario. Security efforts have traditionally focused much more heavily on passengers and their luggage," said Eyal Hulata, Israel's former ...

FlyDubai pilot Smit Machchhar's path from nervous pilot to cockpit 'hero'

Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed by his copilot, opened the cockpit door after fighting back, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker and avert a crash

Deeply concerned: UN chief Guterres strongly condemns flydubai attack

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed deep concern over an incident aboard a flydubai flight in which an Indian pilot sustained serious injuries while foiling an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash the aircraft. The Dubai to Tel Aviv flight, carrying 174 people, including 27 children, made an emergency landing at Tabuk in northwest Saudi Arabia on Wednesday following an altercation in the cockpit. The co-pilot, identified by Israeli officials as an Omani national, stabbed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and sent the jet plunging nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Guterres is deeply concerned by the serious incident involving a Tel Aviv-bound flydubai flight and is relieved that tragedy was averted, a statement issued by the Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Wednesday. Guterres strongly condemns any act that places at risk civilian lives and the safety of civil aviation, the statement said, adding that the UN chief is grateful to al

PM Modi hails pilot Smit Machchhar as 'hero' after Flydubai incident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a "hero" for fighting off his co-pilot, who allegedly attempted to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight and said the country is proud of his valour as he helped save hundreds of lives and averted a great tragedy. Modi said in the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, Captain Machchhar showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. "Captain Smit Machchhar is a HERO," Modi said in a post on X. "His valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy. India is proud of Captain Machchhar. "The prime minister said he was praying for the pilot's speedy recovery, renewed strength and good health," he added.

'Terrorist or whack job': Trump on Flydubai co-pilot, hails Indian pilot

Trump said he spoke with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu about the incident and praised Captain Smit Machchhar and a passenger who helped subdue the co-pilot

Flydubai jet crashes in Russia; all 62 on board, including two Indians, killed

Crash happened as plane tried to land in strong wind; the aircraft was flying from Dubai to southern Russia

Flydubai Boeing crashes on landing in Russia, all 62 on board killed

Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that all passengers on board were Russians, while the flight crew consisted of foreigners