Story perspectives

UAE Captain Stops Axe Attack, Lands Flight Safely

By Drooid · Oct 18, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

UAE captain Smit Machchhar stopped an Omani co-pilot’s axe attack on flydubai flight FZ1073.
He blocked axe blows to his head and left arm while freeing his seat belts.
He reached for the cockpit-door knob and shouted for his colleagues.
The aircraft plunged 16,000 feet in 30 seconds before the attacker was overpowered.
Two other pilots landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.

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Story summary

UAE captain Smit Machchhar stopped an Omani co-pilot’s axe attack on flydubai flight FZ1073.
He blocked axe blows to his head and left arm while freeing his seat belts.
He reached for the cockpit-door knob and shouted for his colleagues.
The aircraft plunged 16,000 feet in 30 seconds before the attacker was overpowered.
Two other pilots landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.