The co-pilot who allegedly tried to crash a flydubai aircraft carrying 174 passengers attacked his colleague, Indian national Smit Machchhar , by stabbing him or striking him with an axe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
“On a flight from Dubai to Israel, as they were approaching Israel, there was an attack by one of the pilots against the other pilot. Apparently, he stabbed him, or he hit him with an axe. Israel is known for having strict airline security procedures. It remains unclear whether the pilots aboard the flydubai flight underwent the same level of screening. Authorities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE have made a few public statements, apart from confirming that investigations are underway.
Passengers travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed safely after the injured Indian pilot and passengers thwarted the co-pilot’s alleged attempt to crash the plane, officials said. He was bleeding profusely,” Netanyahu said. However, passengers on the flight said a man was holding a knife while one of the pilots was lying injured and covered in blood. Passengers travelling to the country are routinely questioned and their baggage searched after completing standard airport security checks, reports said. Netanyahu said the co-pilot, who is suspected to be an Omani national, was arrested.
In an interview with Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity, which aired on Wednesday night, Netanyahu said the attacker may have struck the captain with an axe.
