Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Axe, Says UAE Official

A flydubai aircraft plunged more than 17,000 feet mid-flight after its co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe, a UAE official has said.

The attack reportedly took place around two and a half hours into the flight, prompting a dramatic and sudden loss of altitude.

According to the official account, passengers and crew members intervened and managed to overpower the attacker before the situation escalated further.

Following the intervention, control of the aircraft appears to have been regained, allowing the flight to continue without further incident.

flydubai, a budget airline based in Dubai, has not released a detailed statement explaining the circumstances that led to the attack.

It remains unclear what motivated the co-pilot's actions or what state he was in during the incident.

Authorities have also not confirmed what has happened to the co-pilot since the plane landed, including whether he has been formally charged.

Incidents of violence between flight crew members are exceptionally rare within the aviation industry, which maintains strict psychological and professional standards for pilots.

Airlines typically implement rigorous screening processes, including background checks and regular evaluations, to minimise the risk of such events occurring.

The sudden plunge in altitude would likely have caused significant alarm among passengers, though no injuries beyond the attack itself have been mentioned in available reports.

Investigators are expected to examine flight data and interview those on board to establish a clearer picture of exactly what occurred.

The case is likely to raise fresh questions about cockpit security protocols and how crews are trained to handle emergencies involving colleagues rather than external threats.

As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge regarding both the cause of the attack and its aftermath.

For now, the incident stands as a rare and troubling example of an in-flight crisis originating from within the flight deck itself.