Capt. Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, claims he battled his co-pilot inside the cockpit of a FlyDubai flight headed toward Tel Aviv. He opened the door to rescue the passengers and retake control of the aircraft. He later recounted the incident in a phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said thanks for halting the assault.
Netanyahu says his co-pilot asked to pray at some point during the flight, which he described as something that happens normally. Machchhar then felt a strike to his head. He assumed at first that the plane was failing catastrophically, but repeated hits led him to understand that his colleague was actually attacking him.
“My first thought was that there was a catastrophic damage to the aircraft, and something is not right. But then, after that, the blow kept coming one after the other, and that’s when I realized that it’s not the aircraft; it’s the other guy who was in the cockpit with me.”
The Attack Inside the Cockpit
Officials say the suspect, who has been identified by several sources familiar with the investigation as 29-year-old Hamam Al Hammami, allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit with a weapon and took control of the aircraft, causing it to plunge.
Machchhar stated that his sight was clouded by the strikes and that he sensed the aircraft going down. Though injured by the blade, he claimed he “had that one last fight left in me.”. It was then that he recognized the assailant as the co-pilot who had requested permission to pray.
“That if I don’t do it, I’m gonna die, and that’s when I pushed against everything. I gave everything that I had, and just went for the door and opened the door,” he said.
The Passenger Who Took Control
Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, which let passengers enter and fight off the attacker. That action led to the suspect being stopped, according to investigators who said the controls had been retaken.
The passenger who took control of the aircraft after removing the suspect from the cockpit was Yaniv Hayun, a plumber. He said his knowledge of what to do during an emergency came from watching a TV show. He has told reporters that he would like to meet Machchhar and thank him personally.
Dr. Shota Musaev, a dentist who treated the captain’s wounds after he helped tie up the suspect, also expressed wishes to thank Machchhar in person. “We’ll say thank you very much for all,” Musaev told ABC News.
Netanyahu’s Gratitude
Netanyahu was told by Machchhar that everything happened without warning after the co-pilot asked to pray, something Machchhar described as normal during flights. A few minutes later, Machchhar said he felt a strike to his head.
The captain informed Netanyahu that he wished to repay the gratitude personally as well. He explained that the dentist had saved his life.
“He saved my life, to be honest,” he said.
The prime minister invited the captain to Israel, telling him that he would be treated as a hero when he arrived there.
What Happened Next
Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old, has been named by multiple sources familiar with the probe as the person behind the attack. The investigation remains open, with the suspect now held in custody.
Here is the sequence of events:
- The co-pilot requested to pray during the flight.
- Machchhar felt a blow to his head a few minutes later.
- He realized the attacker was his colleague and pushed against the door.
- He opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and fight the suspect.
- The controls were taken back.
- The suspect was stopped.
- Machchhar was treated for his wounds by Dr. Shota Musaev.
- Netanyahu thanked Machchhar in a phone call.
- The captain said he wants to return to Israel to meet the prime minister face to face.
The Full Sequence
The assault began without warning. The co-pilot requested permission to pray, and the captain responded that such requests are routine during flights. Within a short time, Machchhar received a strike to his head. He believed the aircraft was breaking down entirely, yet the constant blows suggested something else entirely.
He realized his colleague was attacking him. “My first thought was that there was a catastrophic damage to the aircraft, and something is not right. But then, after that, the blow kept coming one after the other, and that’s when I realized that it’s not the aircraft; it’s the other guy who was in the cockpit with me,” he said.
Despite being wounded, Machchhar said he “had that one last fight left in me.” He pushed against everything and opened the door.
Yaniv Hayun, a plumber, deserves credit for taking charge during the incident. He removed the suspect from the cockpit and initially took the controls, crediting a TV show for teaching him how to handle a flight emergency.
The dentist Dr. Shota Musaev treated the captain’s wounds and was involved in restraining the suspect. He said he wanted to thank Machchhar in person.
The prime minister thanked Machchhar for stopping the co-pilot from hurting more people and asked him to come to Israel, where Netanyahu said the pilot would be treated as a hero.
Right now, the tale is all about the man who first opened the door.
Source material: “FlyDubai captain describes fight for his life after attack on flight to Tel Aviv,” ABC News.
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