Indian Pilot Recounts Near-Disaster Aboard Flydubai Flight

An Indian pilot, Smith Machchhar, has described the moments leading up to an attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight, during which his co-pilot attacked him with an axe and tried to crash the plane. Machchhar recounted the events to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 3rd. He stated that the co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hamami from Oman, asked for permission to pray shortly before the assault. Minutes later, al-Hamami attacked Machchhar from behind with an emergency axe and steered the aircraft towards the ground.

Machchhar initially believed the plane had suffered catastrophic damage due to the sudden descent and continued blows. However, he soon realized the attack was perpetrated by his co-pilot. Despite being severely injured and losing vision, Machchhar struggled to regain control. He attempted to open the cockpit door, but it was blocked from the outside. He recalled hearing passengers shouting as he lay on the floor.

In a final act of resistance, Machchhar managed to reach the door handle and open the door, allowing passengers to enter the cockpit and take control of the aircraft. He explained to Netanyahu that while the door opens from the inside with a handle, it requires a code to open from the outside, which al-Hamami had been blocking. Machchhar's successful effort to reach the internal handle was the key to opening the door.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his gratitude, stating that he wishes for Machchhar and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be honored by lighting torches on Israel's Independence Day, a rare distinction usually reserved for Israeli citizens. Netanyahu extended an invitation for Machchhar to visit Israel soon.