{
  "id": 11827053,
  "title": "Flydubai co-pilot who attacked Smit Machchhar to carry out a terrorist attack studied at a UK university: Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/flydubai-co-pilot-who-attacked-smit-machchhar-to-carry-out-a",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T02:23:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/world/flydubai-co-pilot-who-attacked-smit-machchhar-to-carry-out-a-terrorist-attack-studied-at-uk-university-report-11791080097911.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attempted to hijack the plane and carry out a terrorist attack. The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al Hammami, attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, with an axe. According to Machchhar, he was initially hit from behind while looking forward, and then suffered repeated blows to the head.\n\nThe plane, which had 182 people on board, plunged 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds before passengers and crew intervened to stop the co-pilot's attempt to take control. Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries and, with the help of others, overpowered the co-pilot.\n\nThe co-pilot reportedly studied at a UK university, and also spent about two years in Australia as a student, prompting investigations by Australian security agencies. The motive behind the attack and possible extremist links are currently being investigated.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Flydubai attacker studied at British university, backed violence against women, Russia’s war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/flydubai-attacker-studied-at-british-university-backed-violence",
        "published": "2026-10-04T04:07:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}