Co-pilot accused of trying to crash flydubai Flight 1073 after attacking captain in cockpit

A mid-air incident on flydubai Flight 1073, flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, has drawn worldwide attention. The aircraft's captain, Smit Machhar, was suddenly attacked with potentially fatal force. The co-pilot, who is from Oman, is alleged to have taken the aircraft down about 14,000 feet in an attempt to crash it. The captain was injured but showed courage, and passengers helped at once, saving the lives of hundreds on board.

Dr Shota Musayev, a dentist from Georgia who was in the cockpit, treated the captain. He has described the entire episode to the media. Dr Musayev said Captain Machhar used his remaining strength to unlock the cockpit door. As soon as it opened, a few brave passengers rushed in.

According to Dr Musayev, the passengers seized the Oman-born co-pilot, bound him tightly and pinned him to the floor. Blood was flowing from his face and body at the time. Seeing himself helpless and realising his plan had failed, he began shouting. "Do not leave me alive, kill me right now," he said. The passengers ignored him and decided to hand him over to the police safely.

Information from the investigation says the co-pilot stood on the cockpit control panel and tried to disrupt the aircraft's controls, causing it to descend rapidly. Despite serious injuries, the captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers waiting outside to enter. With the help of other off-duty pilots and passengers on board, control of the aircraft was regained and it was landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi authorities then acted immediately and took the co-pilot into custody. After preliminary questioning, he has been handed over to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for further investigation. Early reports mention a dispute between the co-pilot and the captain, but it is being said internationally that there are more serious reasons behind it.

Leaders of different countries have also reacted. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the theory of a personal dispute and called it a radical attack. According to him, the Oman-born co-pilot was influenced by extremely radical views. US President Donald Trump, for his part, has suspected that the co-pilot may have been acting under Iran's influence.

According to colleagues, the co-pilot spoke very little at work and held extremely conservative views. He would refuse even a routine handshake with female crew members or passengers. He had joined flydubai only eight months earlier. The UAE and other international investigative agencies are now examining every aspect of the incident in depth.