Updated 1w+ ago · World
Ax-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns
Captain Smit Machchhar told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday that he opened the cockpit door while still being attacked, knowing the plane was in a nosedive. "I knew that I cannot let everybody else die," he said.
- 17 years of flying experience let Machchhar sense the plane's descent while on the floor.
- 14,000-plus feet: the aircraft's drop in roughly 30 seconds during the attack.
- 174 people were on board, according to Netanyahu; FlyDubai's CEO cited 172 passengers and crew.
- The co-pilot used an emergency cockpit window-breaking tool in the assault, per Israel's UAE ambassador.
Why it matters: The attack has disrupted the only direct air link between Dubai and Tel Aviv, stranding thousands of Israelis. It has also raised questions about pilot vetting and cockpit security on routes opened under the 2020 Abraham Accords.
- UAE prosecutors are leading the investigation into motive, including any terrorism connection.
- A senior Omani official said Oman had not confirmed the co-pilot is an Omani national and called the incident "bizarre" and "terribly disturbing."
How 51 sources split on this story
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51 sources · 111 articles · 45% Right coverage
Where they split: Leaders including Netanyahu and Trump have publicly attributed the attack to Islamist radicalization and possible Iranian direction; UAE investigators say motive has not yet been determined, and there is currently no confirmed evidence of an Iran link.
Center coverage, 18 sources: The center reports the UAE's own terrorism characterization alongside the ongoing investigation, presenting official statements from multiple governments without prioritizing any single narrative.
IBTimes1w+A Senior UAE Official Is Now Also Saying The Attempted Hijacking Of The Flydubai Plane Was An 'Act Of Terrorism'Jerusalem Post1w+Flydubai attempted hijack security failure exposes Israel’s deep accountability crisis - analysisTimes of Israel1w+Security hurdles slow airlines’ effort to bring stranded Israelis home from DubaiThe Hill1w+UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots’ names and nationalitiesAssociated Press1w+UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalitiesCTV News1w+Co-pilot accused of trying to hijack FlyDubai plane probably acted alone, Israeli sources sayBBC News1w+Australia investigating Flydubai co-pilot's links to countryFinancial Times1w+Australian authorities probe Flydubai attacker’s links to countryAsia Times1w+Flydubai attack feeds Netanyahu's 'protector' line as polls near - Asia TimesJapan Times1w+UAE investigators say flydubai co-pilot was planning ‘terrorist act’PBS NewsHour1w+AP report: UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalitiesReuters1w+Australia probes flydubai co-pilot links, police saySky News1w+Flydubai co-pilot: Australian links probed after 'axe attack' on captainWESH 2 News1w+Flydubai pilot hailed hero after onboard attack: 'I couldn't let everybody else die'WGAL 81w+Flydubai pilot hailed hero after onboard attack: 'I couldn't let everybody else die'WKBN Youngstown1w+Ax-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concernsWPXI Pittsburgh1w+Who are the mystery men who stepped in to keep the FlyDubai plane from crashing?Yahoo News1w+Israeli investigators believe FlyDubai alleged hijacker was likely lone wolf, sources say
Left coverage, 10 sources: The left frames the story around Machchhar's personal courage while emphasizing that motive is unconfirmed and that Netanyahu's radicalization claims lack publicly presented evidence.
The Boston Globe1w+UAE shared details about FlyDubai flight with IsraelMSNBC1w+FlyDubai pilot attacked captain with crash ax, UAE official saysThe Independent1w+Australia police investigate FlyDubai co-pilot's links to the countryAl Jazeera1w+Police investigating Flydubai co-pilot’s Australia tiesCNN1w+Alleged Flydubai hijacking attempt exposes worrying gaps in aviation securityABC News1w+FlyDubai captain describes fight for his life after cockpit attack on Tel Aviv-bound flightHuffPost1w+FlyDubai Co-Pilot Who Nearly Crashed Plane Was Barred From Flying By Oman Over Extremism ConcernsNBC News1w+Early indications suggest Flydubai co-pilot acted alone in attack, officials sayPolitico1w+Israel didn't raise concerns about Omani pilot on FlyDubai flightThe Guardian1w+Flydubai co-pilot’s time in Australia being investigated by security agencies after alleged cockpit attack
Right coverage, 23 sources: The right foregrounds Machchhar's heroism and Netanyahu's Islamist-radicalization framing, treating the attack as a near-catastrophic terror event comparable in intent to 9/11.
Townhall1w+There's a New Twist in the FlyDubai Hijacking AttemptThe Gateway Pundit1w+FlyDubai Pilot Speaks Out About Moment He Made Heroic Decision That Saved Passengers (Video) * The Gateway Pundit * by Margaret FlavinNew York Post1w+Accused flydubai hijacker celebrated beating women, Sharia law in sickening social media posts: 'Stomp on her head'The Daily Wire1w+Flydubai Hijacker Sparks Concerns That Iran Has New Terror TacticDaily Mail1w+Flydubai hijacker called for women to be 'stomped on' in religious rants while studying at British universityFox News1w+Terror cells inside foreign airlines 'certainly a possibility,' retired pilot warnsThe Washington Times1w+UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalitiesPJ Media1w+Veteran Pilot Startles Leftist Interviewer With the Truth About the Dubai HijackingWall Street Journal1w+From a Love of Flying to a Midair Attack: What We Know About the FlyDubai Co-PilotWashington Examiner1w+How newsrooms turned an attempted hijacking into a 'brawl' (and killed trust)WND1w+‘I was fighting for my life’: Watch hero pilot of FlyDubai jet describe unlocking cockpit door with last of strength * WorldNetDaily * by Bob UnruhAmerican Greatness1w+Flydubai Pilot: Terrorist Co-Pilot Attacked Him With Axe After Asking to Pray › American GreatnessBreitbart News1w+Flydubai Co-Pilot Asked to Pray, then Axed Captain — Al-Qaeda Urges More AttacksCitizen Free Press1w+First photos released of terrorist pilot.Hot Air1w+Friday's Final WordJust the News1w+FlyDubai co-pilot used cockpit emergency ax in attempted attack: reportNational Post1w+'He’s stabbing the pilot': How the drama unfolded on Flydubai Flight 1073Newsmax1w+Ax-Wielding FlyDubai Co-pilot Had Been Flagged over Extremism ConcernsOne America News1w+'I had so many wounds': Flydubai pilot credited with preventing hijacking recounts harrowing attackRedState1w+FlyDubai Attacker Reveals Why He Waited Until the Plane Was Near Israel to Attack CaptainThe American Spectator1w+Israelis Stopped a Terrorist Hijacking. Why Did the Media Call It an ‘Altercation’?The Daily Signal1w+Don’t Let Flydubai Terror Scare Derail Abraham Accords ProgressThe Sun1w+‘Hijacker who stabbed pilot’ called for women to be ‘stomped on’ as online rants revealed & Al Qaeda issues warning
What’s next: Saudi Arabia handed the suspect to UAE custody; UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi is leading the inquiry.
- Israeli airlines were arranging special flights Friday to repatriate stranded Israelis from Dubai.
- Was the co-pilot acting alone or directed by an outside party?
- What specific evidence, if any, supports claims of radicalization or Iranian involvement?
- Will the Abraham Accords air routes resume, and under what new security conditions?
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