Flydubai captain describes blocking axe blows as co-pilot attacked him
Capt Smit Machchhar said he screamed for help as he reached to open the cockpit door on flight FZ1073
TL;DR
- The captain of a flydubai flight recounts being attacked by his co-pilot with an axe.
- The co-pilot intended to crash the plane, an act inspired by the 9/11 attacks.
- The captain defended himself against the axe blows while trying to open the cockpit door and alert other crew.
- The aircraft plunged 16,000 ft in 30 seconds during the incident.
- Other pilots on board eventually subdued the attacker, and the plane was landed safely in Saudi Arabia.