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
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.
Jerusalem Post5dFlydubai attempted hijack security failure exposes Israel’s deep accountability crisis - analysisTITimes of Israel5dSecurity hurdles slow airlines’ effort to bring stranded Israelis home from Dubai
The Hill5dUAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots’ names and nationalities
Associated Press5dUAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalitiesCNCTV News5dCo-pilot accused of trying to hijack FlyDubai plane probably acted alone, Israeli sources say
BBC News5dAustralia investigating Flydubai co-pilot's links to country
Financial Times5dAustralian authorities probe Flydubai attacker’s links to country
Asia Times6dFlydubai attack feeds Netanyahu's 'protector' line as polls near - Asia Times
Japan Times5dUAE investigators say flydubai co-pilot was planning ‘terrorist act’
PBS NewsHour5dAP report: UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalities
Reuters5dAustralia probes flydubai co-pilot links, police sayLeft 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.
MSNBC6dFlyDubai pilot attacked captain with crash ax, UAE official says
The Independent5dAustralia police investigate FlyDubai co-pilot's links to the country
Al Jazeera5dPolice investigating Flydubai co-pilot’s Australia ties
CNN5dAlleged Flydubai hijacking attempt exposes worrying gaps in aviation security
ABC News5dFlyDubai captain describes fight for his life after cockpit attack on Tel Aviv-bound flight
HuffPost6dFlyDubai Co-Pilot Who Nearly Crashed Plane Was Barred From Flying By Oman Over Extremism Concerns
NBC News5dEarly indications suggest Flydubai co-pilot acted alone in attack, officials say
Politico5dIsrael didn't raise concerns about Omani pilot on FlyDubai flight
The Guardian5dFlydubai co-pilot’s time in Australia being investigated by security agencies after alleged cockpit attackRight 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 Attempt
The Gateway Pundit1w+FlyDubai Pilot Speaks Out About Moment He Made Heroic Decision That Saved Passengers (Video) * The Gateway Pundit * by Margaret Flavin
New York Post5dAccused flydubai hijacker celebrated beating women, Sharia law in sickening social media posts: 'Stomp on her head'
The Daily Wire5dFlydubai Hijacker Sparks Concerns That Iran Has New Terror Tactic
Daily Mail5dFlydubai hijacker called for women to be 'stomped on' in religious rants while studying at British university
Fox News5dTerror cells inside foreign airlines 'certainly a possibility,' retired pilot warns
The Washington Times5dUAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalities
PJ Media6dVeteran Pilot Startles Leftist Interviewer With the Truth About the Dubai Hijacking
Wall Street Journal6dFrom a Love of Flying to a Midair Attack: What We Know About the FlyDubai Co-Pilot
Washington Examiner6dHow 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 Unruh
American Greatness5dFlydubai Pilot: Terrorist Co-Pilot Attacked Him With Axe After Asking to Pray › American GreatnessWhat’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?