Mystery Surrounds Weapon Used in Cockpit Attack, Aviation Axe Possible

An unresolved question in the ongoing investigation is the type of weapon used in the attack against the pilot. While some passengers reported seeing a knife, Israeli authorities are considering the possibility of an axe. If an axe was indeed used, it may not have needed to be smuggled onto the plane, as commercial passenger aircraft are equipped with a safety device known as a Crash Axe.

This aviation axe is part of the standard safety equipment and is intended for emergency situations, not for defense against passengers. Its primary purpose is to access hidden fires, such as those behind paneling or boards that the crew cannot reach directly. The axe allows crew members to breach these areas to extinguish a fire. It can also be used to cut or break jammed parts, clear blocked aisles, and assist in evacuations when normal exits are impassable.

Due to its potential use near electrical systems, these axes typically have insulated handles. International aviation regulations mandate that passenger aircraft cockpits carry an emergency axe or a crowbar. The tool must be accessible to the crew but concealed and out of reach of passengers.

This accessibility requirement presents a dilemma. The axe needs to be immediately available for emergencies like fires or evacuations, meaning it cannot be stored in a locked compartment or require a key. However, it is a heavy, sharp tool that could be used as a weapon if it falls into the wrong hands. While the recommendation is to store it discreetly, the cockpit has historically been a preferred location due to its protected status and the need for rapid crew access during emergencies. This creates a contradiction: an emergency tool meant to be available to pilots for safety could itself become an attack weapon if the threat originates from within the cockpit.