Indian Pilot Recounts Co-pilot's Attack During Flight
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Pilot Smith Machchar was attacked by co-pilot Hamam Al-Hamami.
- The co-pilot prayed before launching the assault.
- Machchar's vision was impaired by the blows.
- The plane began a sharp descent during the incident.
- Machchar managed to open the cockpit door to allow intervention.
An Indian pilot, Smith Machchar, has recounted a harrowing experience where his co-pilot, Hamam Al-Hamami, attacked him repeatedly during a flight. Machchar told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Al-Hamami began praying in the cockpit, which he initially found normal as many locals do. However, after about four to five minutes of praying while Machchar looked forward, he felt a strong blow to the back of his head.
Machchar initially feared catastrophic damage to the aircraft but soon realized the assault was coming from his co-pilot. The repeated blows severely impaired his vision, making everything blurry. At this point, he felt the plane begin a sharp descent.
He attempted to open the cockpit door, but believes Al-Hamami prevented him. Lying on the cockpit floor, Machchar heard screams and, feeling a final surge of strength, fought his way to the door. He managed to turn the handle and open it, allowing other crew members to rush in and regain control of the aircraft.
Netanyahu inquired how Machchar managed to open the door, to which the pilot explained that the internal mechanism requires turning a handle. While an external code could be used, Al-Hamami had prevented its activation. Machchar's ability to reach and turn the handle was the only way to open the door from the inside.
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