Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Axe, Says UAE Official
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A flydubai plane suddenly dropped more than 17,000 feet during a flight, a UAE official has said.
The official said the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe while the plane was in the air.
The incident happened about two and a half hours into the journey.
During the attack, the plane plunged rapidly, losing a huge amount of altitude.
Passengers and crew members worked together to stop the attacker.
They managed to overpower him before the situation got worse.
After the attacker was controlled, the plane was able to continue safely.
flydubai is an airline based in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
The company has not yet given full details about what caused the attack.
It is also unclear what happened to the attacker after the plane landed.
This kind of incident is extremely rare in commercial aviation.
Airlines usually have strict safety rules for their flight crews.
More information may come out as officials continue to investigate the event.
The news has shocked many people who regularly fly with the airline.
Passengers on the flight were likely frightened during the sudden drop.
Authorities have not confirmed the motive behind the co-pilot's actions.
Vocabulary10 words
- co-pilot
- the second pilot who helps the main pilot fly the plane
- captain
- the main pilot who is in charge of the plane
- axe
- a tool with a sharp blade used for cutting or chopping
- plunge
- to fall suddenly and very fast
- altitude
- the height of something above the ground
- crew
- the group of people who work on a plane
- overpower
- to stop someone using greater strength
- airline
- a company that operates flights for passengers
- aviation
- the activity of flying or making aircraft
- incident
- an event, often unexpected or serious
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He attacked the captain with an axe 2. Two and a half hours into the journey 3. Passengers and crew
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A flydubai plane suddenly dropped more than 17,000 feet during a _____, a UAE official has said.
The official said the co-pilot attacked the _____ with an axe while the plane was in the air.
The incident happened about two and a half hours into the _____.
During the attack, the plane plunged rapidly, losing a huge amount of _____.
Passengers and crew members worked together to stop the _____.
They managed to _____ him before the situation got worse.
After the attacker was controlled, the plane was able to continue _____.
flydubai is an airline based in Dubai, in the United Arab _____.
The company has not yet given full details about what caused the _____.
This kind of incident is extremely rare in commercial _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think this kind of incident is so rare on commercial flights?
- What safety measures do airlines usually have to prevent situations like this?
- How do you think passengers might have reacted during the sudden drop?
- What questions would you want investigators to answer about this event?
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