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FlyDubai Captain Recounts Harrowing Mid-Air Attack by Co-Pilot
The captain of a Flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv on September 30 has recounted a harrowing mid-air attack by his co-pilot, who attempted to seize control of the Boeing 737. The captain, identified as Smit Machchhar, also referred to as Smith Bhupender Machhar or Sami Machchar, was severely injured but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to subdue the attacker.
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What happened
- 01Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar detailed a cockpit attack by his Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, on a flight to Tel Aviv on September 30.
- 02The co-pilot requested to pray before launching a brutal physical assault on the captain from behind.
- 03The aircraft plummeted from 30,000 feet to 15,000 feet at speeds nearing 1,000 km/h during the struggle.
- 04Despite severe head, neck, and hand injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door to allow help inside.
- 05Two qualified pilots traveling as passengers helped stabilize the aircraft and prevent a crash.
- 06The flight made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 180 passengers and crew surviving.
- 07Captain Machchhar is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital and has vowed to return to flying.
The incident began after the co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, or Hammam Al-Hammami, from Oman, requested to pray inside the cockpit. He then delivered a powerful blow to the captain's head. Machchhar sustained critical injuries to his head, neck, and hands, and suffered repeated blackouts as the plane plummeted from 30,000 feet to 15,000 feet at speeds nearing 1,000 km/h.
Despite his injuries and blood loss, the captain managed to open the cockpit door. Crew members and passengers, including two qualified Flydubai pilots traveling as passengers, intervened to subdue the attacker and stabilize the aircraft. The flight, carrying 172 passengers and eight crew members, most of them Israelis, made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, with all 180 people on board surviving. Machchhar is currently recovering in a hospital.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Cursorinfo. Read Cursorinfo’s originalThe coverage
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FlyDubai Captain Recounts Harrowing Mid-Air Attack by Co-Pilot
