{
  "id": 12212941,
  "title": "Omani pilot used crash axe to stab Captain Smit Machchar during Flydubai flight —what is its purpose? Expert explains",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/omani-pilot-used-crash-axe-to-stab-captain-smit-machchar-during",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T18:41:44.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/world/omani-pilot-used-crash-axe-to-stab-captain-smit-machchar-during-flydubai-flight-what-is-its-purpose-expert-explains-11791222608005.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "During a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly attempted a terrorist act using a crash axe found in the cockpit, according to UAE state news agency WAM and Attorney General Counsellor Hamad Saif al-Shamsi. Aviation expert Harsh Vardhan explained to LiveMint that the crash axe is primarily used in emergency situations for accessing areas behind aircraft panels in case of fire or door jamming due to electrical-system failures. The incident occurred on September 30, around 2.5 hours after takeoff, when the co-pilot, who had reportedly planned the attack before joining Flydubai, stabbed the Indian Captain Smit Machchar. Despite being seriously injured, Machchar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew to subdue the attacker. Flydubai's safety measures for cockpit equipment should be reviewed to prevent unauthorized access by a single pilot. The security concerns raised by this incident necessitate a thorough review of flight crew behavior screening and monitoring, particularly concerning known radical views.",
  "summary": "A Flydubai co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft later diverted to Saudi Arabia. What is the purpose of crash axe in cockpit? Aviation expert explains.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}