Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Pilot with Axe Mid-Flight; UAE Labels Incident an Attempted Terrorist Attack
A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the aircraft's pilot with an axe during a flight, according to UAE authorities, who described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. The UAE's prosecutor general stated that investigations are ongoing to determine circumstances, motives, and any related connections, and that physical and digital evidence is being examined.
A Flydubai co-pilot assaulted the pilot with an axe during a flight, an incident the UAE government has labeled an attempted terrorist attack. UAE prosecutors confirmed the attack and said investigations are underway to establish the co-pilot's motives, any possible connections to outside parties, and the full sequence of events.
According to the New York Times, passengers and crew members intervened to avert further disaster after the pilot was stabbed, with the outlet's coverage focusing on the timeline of how those aboard the aircraft responded to subdue the threat.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the co-pilot had previously been banned from flying by Oman due to concerns about radical views, a detail that, if confirmed, would indicate prior warning signs existed before the attacker was permitted to serve as a commercial flight crew member.