Flydubai Captain Recounts Near-Fatal Attack in Cockpit
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Flydubai Captain Smith Macher described a near-fatal attack by his first officer that occurred in the cockpit during a flight. The first officer allegedly struck Macher from behind, causing him to lose consciousness and vision, while the plane's nose began to dip. Passengers, including Israelis, reportedly helped overpower the attacker after the cockpit door was opened, allowing the crew to regain control and land the plane safely.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Flydubai Captain Smith Macher recounted a near-fatal attack by his first officer in the cockpit.
- The first officer allegedly struck Macher from behind, causing partial loss of vision and consciousness.
- Macher struggled to reach the cockpit door release handle as the plane began to descend.
- Passengers, including Israelis, reportedly helped overpower the attacker after the cockpit door was opened.
- Macher credited the crew's actions and divine intervention for the safe landing.
- The incident occurred without any prior suspicious signs, according to the captain.
The captain of a Flydubai flight, Smith Macher, has recounted the near-fatal attack he experienced in the cockpit that almost led to the plane crashing. Macher, speaking from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, told media outlets in the UAE, including The National and Sky News, that there were no prior signs of trouble before the incident. The flight was proceeding normally until the assault.
Macher explained that his Omani first officer, Haitham Al-Haimi, got up from his seat, claiming he wanted to pray. While Macher was focused on the flight computer, Al-Haimi struck him forcefully on the back of the head. "It was an extremely severe blow that caused me to partially lose my vision and consciousness," Macher stated.
He described struggling to free himself from his seatbelt, enduring further blows, and focusing all his energy on reaching the cockpit door release handle. During the struggle, Macher felt the plane's engines slowing and the nose dipping. Facing immediate mortal danger and thinking of his family, he managed to unlock the door before losing consciousness.
The door opening allowed crew members and passengers, including Israeli citizens who rushed in, to overpower the attacker and bring the plane back to a safe course. Macher avoided discussing the role of the Israeli passengers or reports of an Israeli citizen helping to subdue the attacker, stating that due to his severe injuries and disorientation, he was solely focused on survival. He praised the crew's resourcefulness in taking control of the controls and called the rescue a miracle due to survival instincts and divine intervention.
