Flydubai Captain Recounts How Co-Pilot Left to Pray, Then Attacked Him

Captain Smith Machchara said that 4–5 minutes after the co-pilot left the cockpit to pray, he was struck hard from behind. The aircraft sharply descended, but the captain managed to open the cockpit door despite his condition, and crew and passengers helped regain control.

The incident occurred on September 30 on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, and all passengers were safe.