A flydubai flight was disrupted by a violent altercation inside the cockpit, according to multiple reports. The New York Times reported the aircraft dropped 17,000 feet in two minutes during the incident, and that passengers subdued a knife-wielding attacker.
Accounts of who was involved in the altercation vary. The New York Times described it as a cockpit altercation involving an attacker armed with a knife, while CNN reported a bloody passenger pleading for help. The Hindu, citing sources, reported that the pilot who was attacked was Indian.
The Times of India raised the question of whether the incident amounted to an attempted terror plot, saying it remained unclear. The Jerusalem Post, according to its own reporting, questioned why there were two extra pilots aboard the flight at the time.
The Daily Express reported that a 'heroic' pilot who fought off a co-pilot described as a 'terrorist' had been named, though this characterization has not been confirmed by other outlets.
How each side covered it
Left
- The New York Times reported the aircraft dropped 17,000 feet in two minutes during a cockpit altercation.
- The New York Times and CNN described passenger panic and a bloodied passenger pleading for help.
- Passengers reportedly subdued a knife-wielding attacker, per The New York Times.
- The Hindu reported, citing sources, that the attacked pilot was Indian.
“A routine flight turned terrifying when a violent altercation broke out inside the cockpit and the aircraft dropped 17,000 feet in two minutes.” — The New York Times
Center
- The Times of India questioned whether the incident was an attempted terror plot, noting unresolved details.
“Was it a terror plot? What we know and don't know” — The Times of India
Right
- The Daily Express reported a 'heroic' pilot had been named after fighting off a co-pilot it called a 'terrorist'.
- The Jerusalem Post questioned why two extra pilots were aboard the flight during the incident.
“heroic pilot who fought off 'terrorist' co-pilot named” — Daily Express
Questions readers ask
What happened on the flydubai flight?
A violent altercation broke out involving a member of the cockpit crew, during which the aircraft reportedly dropped 17,000 feet in two minutes, according to The New York Times. Passengers were reported to have subdued a knife-wielding attacker.
Who was attacked during the incident?
The Hindu reported, citing sources, that the pilot who was attacked was Indian. The Daily Express referred to a 'heroic' pilot who fought off a co-pilot it described as a 'terrorist,' though this label is not corroborated by other sources.
Was this a terrorist attack or attempted hijacking?
It remains unclear. The Times of India reported that it was uncertain whether the incident constituted an attempted terror plot, and other outlets did not confirm this characterization.
What did left- and right-leaning outlets focus on?
Left-leaning outlets, such as The New York Times and CNN, focused on the altitude drop, passenger panic and heroics, and a bloodied passenger's plea for help. Right-leaning outlets, including the Daily Express and The Jerusalem Post, focused on the pilot described as heroic and questions about why extra pilots were aboard.
What happens next?
The sources do not provide information on any official investigation, airline statement, or next steps following the incident.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningBloody passenger pleads for help on Flydubai flight
- The HinduLeft-leaningPilot attacked in flydubai altercation Indian, say sources
- The New York TimesLeft-leaningPanic and Heroics on FlyDubai Flight: ‘We Felt That This Was It’
- The Times of IndiaCenterFlydubai flight drama: How Indian pilot Smit Machchhar stopped Omani co-pilot from crashing plane
- Daily ExpressRight-leaningFlyDubai flight update as heroic pilot who fought off 'terrorist' co-pilot named
- The Daily WireRight-leaningEverything We Know About the FlyDubai Hijacking Attempt
- The Jerusalem PostRight-leaning‘We’re in charge of the flight now’: Passenger describes fighting for flydubai cabin - interview