UAE Calls Flydubai Cockpit Attack Attempted Terrorism

The UAE says the co-pilot of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe and tried to seize control; the aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet before passengers subdued the co-pilot and it landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar, who was seriously injured, helped open the cockpit door, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later praised him. Investigators in the UAE, Australia and Israel are examining the co-pilot’s background, motives and security screening; reports say Oman Air had previously removed him from flying duties over concerns about extremist views before Flydubai hired him. Authorities have not established a link to a terrorist organization or determined the motive, and questions remain about how his history was assessed and information shared across countries. Passengers said they refused cabin crew requests to untie the restrained co-pilot, an account Flydubai has not commented on because the investigation is ongoing; all 182 people aboard survived.