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Omani Co-Pilot Used Crash Axe in Attack on Flydubai Captain, Not Knife
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News18•01-10-2026, 17:44
Omani Co-Pilot Used Crash Axe in Attack on Flydubai Captain, Not Knife
- •An Omani co-pilot reportedly used a crash axe, not a knife, to attack Captain Smit Machchhar on Flydubai flight FZ1073.
- •The incident occurred in the cockpit while the co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft.
- •Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the use of the cockpit's crash axe during the attack.
- •The aircraft transmitted emergency codes Squawk 7700 and 7500 (unlawful interference) before diverting safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- •A crash axe is a standard emergency tool in cockpits, used for breaking through materials in emergencies, not typically as a weapon.
Key Questions Answered
The Omani co-pilot used the aircraft's emergency crash axe to attack Captain Smit Machchhar during the flight.
The aircraft first transmitted Squawk 7700 for a general emergency, and later transmitted 7500, which indicates unlawful interference.
The crash axe is an emergency tool used by crew members to break through materials to reach hidden fires, clear debris after a crash, cut through damaged structures, or create alternative exits when normal routes are blocked.
