Flydubai axe attack: UAE says co-pilot tried to seize jet

Flydubai axe attack investigation widens

The co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe mid- flight trying to force his way into the cockpit, prosecutors in the United Arab Emirates said.

More than 170 people were on board with the aircraft losing over 17,000ft in altitude within two and a half hours from take-off.

Passengers then stormed the cockpit and overpowered the attacker.

On-duty crew travelling on the flight landed the plane safely as Captain Smit Machchhar layed injured on the cockpit floor.

Machchhar said he realised the plane was sinking and had to act.

"I told myself to go for one last push to open the door from inside," he said.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News the attacker was an Omani national, calling out "Kill me, kill me!" after being overpowered.

Netanyahu said: "It's clear that he was suicidal… It looks very likely that he was going to down the plane." 

He added that the attacker had "underwent Islamist radical indoctrination".

The UAE's prosecutor general said investigations were continuing to establish the full circumstances and motive.

State media says officials are also examining whether the attack was "linked to any terrorist activity or purpose".

Is the Flydubai captain going to be OK?

Machchhar, who was stabbed in the attack, is in a stable condition after being airlifted to Abu Dhabi.

The Indian embassy in the UAE said on Thursday he was "in good health and recovering well".

"I am confident that the recovery will be there and I will become fit and healthy again," Machchhar said.

India's government has praised his "immense courage".