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

A co-pilot on a flydubai flight attacked the captain with an axe, causing the aircraft to plunge more than 17,000 feet, a United Arab Emirates official said, according to the BBC.

The incident occurred roughly two and a half hours into the flight, before passengers and crew members intervened to overpower the attacker, the BBC reported.

The sudden loss of altitude would have been alarming for those on board, though the flight ultimately continued after the attacker was restrained. Details about the aircraft's final destination and the condition of the captain following the attack were not specified in the available reporting.

UAE authorities have been investigating the incident, which has drawn international attention given the serious nature of an in-flight assault involving a weapon in the cockpit. No further details on the co-pilot's background or motive were confirmed in this account.

Flydubai has not issued additional public comment beyond what was relayed through UAE officials, and further updates on the investigation are expected as authorities continue to examine the circumstances of the attack.