A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a dramatic turn of events when the co-pilot attempted to take control of the plane and attacked the captain with a crash axe. The incident occurred two and a half hours into the journey, and the plane carrying over 170 people plunged 17,000ft before passengers intervened and successfully took control. The co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, was reportedly motivated by radical views.
According to UAE prosecutor general, investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances and motives of the incident. The crash axe used in the attack was a key point of interest, as initial reports suggested a knife may have been used. The stringent security measures in place for such a sensitive route raised questions about how the co-pilot obtained the axe. The incident has sparked an investigation into possible links to terrorist activity.
The co-pilot, named as Hamam al-Hammami by multiple media outlets, had previously worked at Oman Air, where he was removed from flight training due to concerns over his radical views. He was given another role at the airline and later completed a degree in aviation management from Buckinghamshire New University in the UK. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that al-Hammami "underwent Islamist radical indoctrination" and was likely suicidal.
Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured in the attack, recounted his experience, saying he was lying on the floor when he realized the plane was sinking and had to act. He managed to open the door from inside, allowing passengers to assist in subduing the co-pilot. Two reserve pilots then landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar, an Indian national, was taken to a hospital in Abu Dhabi and reported to be in stable condition.
Netanyahu provided further insight into the incident, stating that after being subdued, al-Hammami called out to the crew "Kill me, kill me!" The Israeli prime minister believed that the co-pilot was suicidal and likely intended to down the plane. The UAE has launched an investigation into possible links to terrorist activity, with the country's state news agency reporting that authorities are working to determine the incident's motives.
Passengers on board the flight described the terrifying experience, with one passenger, Almog Itali, telling the BBC that the plane suddenly dropped with a massive G-force, feeling like a rollercoaster. The plane signalled a "general emergency" code before switching to a code reporting "unlawful interference" or hijacking. The incident has raised concerns about airline security and the potential for insider threats.
The incident has been widely condemned, and authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the attack. The investigation is ongoing, with multiple agencies working together to determine the circumstances and motives behind the incident. Captain Machchhar, recovering in a hospital, expressed confidence in his recovery, saying he would "become fit and healthy again."
Key points
- The co-pilot used a crash axe to attack the captain on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- The incident has sparked an investigation into possible links to terrorist activity.
- The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, had previously been removed from flight training due to concerns over his radical views.
