A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv became a terrifying ordeal when the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe. This led to a chaotic struggle in the cockpit. The incident happened two and a half hours into the flight, carrying over 170 passengers, and caused the aircraft to dive 17,000 feet. Passengers stepped in to regain control.
The co-pilot, named by various media as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, tried to seize control of the plane. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested the co-pilot had suicidal intentions. Despite being injured, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to help. Among them were Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayun, Dr. Shota Musayev, and Asaf Rajuan, who subdued the co-pilot. Hayun described the intense struggle, noting the co-pilot's attempts to wreck the plane's instruments. He managed to put the co-pilot in a chokehold, pulling him out of the cockpit with assistance.
Two reserve pilots successfully landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia after the emergency. Captain Machchhar was hospitalized and later airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he is in stable condition. The Indian embassy in the UAE confirmed that Machchhar, an Indian national, is recovering well.
The UAE's attorney general, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, labeled the co-pilot's actions as an attempted "terrorist act." Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full circumstances and motives of the attack. The crash axe, normally kept in the cockpit for emergencies, raises questions about security measures on such sensitive routes.
Al-Hammami's background is under scrutiny. Reports suggest he was previously removed from flight training at Oman Air due to concerns over his radical views. He later obtained an aviation management degree from Buckinghamshire New University in the UK in 2023, though he did not receive pilot training there.
Australian authorities are probing Al-Hammami's ties to the country. He reportedly studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017 on a student visa, which was canceled in 2019. Counter-terrorism officials are investigating if he was radicalized during his stay in Australia.
Passenger Accounts and Heroic Actions
Passenger Almog Itali described the terrifying moments when the plane plummeted like a "rollercoaster, " with massive G-forces. Israeli passenger Tali Manes raised the alarm after hearing the cockpit commotion. Her husband, Zvika, was among those who rushed to help.
After passengers regained control, the plane signaled a "general emergency" code, squawk 7700, before switching to squawk 7500, indicating "unlawful interference" or hijacking. The quick actions of passengers and crew prevented what Netanyahu called a potential "9/11 disaster."
As the investigation continues, the incident highlights the critical need for vigilance and preparedness in aviation security. The bravery of passengers and crew who thwarted the attack has been widely praised, underscoring the essential role of teamwork in crisis situations.
