FlyDubai Passengers Feared Hijacking After Co-Pilot Attack

Passengers aboard FlyDubai flight FZ1073 experienced a terrifying ordeal when the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe in the cockpit, leading to fears the plane could be diverted to Iran or Yemen. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly assaulted Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash the aircraft carrying 182 people. Several Israeli passengers, along with the injured pilot, managed to subdue the assailant and regain control of the plane. Despite the immediate threat being neutralized, passenger Uri Pintov, who was traveling with his wife and three children, recounted "ten minutes of horror" and described ongoing anxiety for nearly ninety minutes. Passengers lost trust in the crew, including relief pilots who entered the cockpit without immediately communicating with the cabin, fueling uncertainty about their destination. As a precaution, passengers reportedly separated crew members and stationed them in different parts of the plane. Pintov only learned the plane was heading to Saudi Arabia ten minutes before landing. Upon arrival at Tabuk airport, passengers remained apprehensive about being taken hostage until they entered the terminal. Uri Pintov's wife, Michelle, described believing the plane was going to crash during a sudden dive, and she recorded a farewell message. One of their daughters sent a final voice message to her partner. Saudi authorities met the passengers with food and medical assistance. The Pintov family stated they will continue flying but will avoid FlyDubai in the future. Investigations into security lapses are ongoing.