The co-pilot of a Flydubai plane traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked the captain with a crash axe in an apparent attempt to gain control of the aircraft, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general announced. The incident occurred more than two and a half hours into the flight, which was carrying over 170 people, causing the plane to plunge more than 17,000 feet.

Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in the attack, recounted that he realized the plane was descending while he was on the cockpit floor. He stated his immediate thought was to find a way to open the door from the inside, an action that ultimately allowed passengers to intervene.

On-duty crew members traveling as passengers were able to enter the cockpit after Captain Machchhar managed to open the door. They subsequently subdued the attacker. The flight was then safely landed by these crew members. A crash axe is standard safety equipment kept in aircraft cockpits for emergency use.

The UAE attorney general indicated that investigations are ongoing to fully ascertain the circumstances and motives behind the co-pilot's actions. Initial reports suggest the co-pilot was an Omani national. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing the attacker's post-subdual cries of "Kill me, kill me!", suggested the individual appeared suicidal and likely intended to crash the plane.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated that the attacker had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination. The UAE has launched an investigation into whether the incident had any links to terrorist activity or broader purposes, according to the nation's state news agency. The co-pilot's motive remains under scrutiny as part of the official inquiry.

Captain Machchhar, who sustained stab wounds during the assault, received initial medical attention at a nearby hospital before being transported by air ambulance to Abu Dhabi. He is reported to be in stable condition and recovering well, according to the Indian embassy in the UAE. The captain expressed confidence in his recovery.

This incident highlights the critical role of crew and passenger intervention in aviation security threats. The investigation will likely focus on the co-pilot's background, psychological state, and any potential external influences that may have contributed to the attack.