Flydubai cockpit incident: Israel plumbers heroic claim under scrutiny as Indian pilot recalls horror
Machchhar recalled that his co-pilot, Hamad al-Hammami, had been sitting beside him for two hours before the attack and had shown no signs of the “premeditated terrorist plot” alleged by Emirati prosecutors.
PTC News Desk: Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has described how his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe in an attempt to bring down a passenger plane carrying 172 people.
Speaking to The National from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, the Indian pilot also discussed the uncertainty surrounding Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun’s reported role in stopping the attempted hijacking of the flight to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar recalled that his co-pilot, Hamad al-Hammami, had been sitting beside him for two hours before the attack and had shown no signs of the “premeditated terrorist plot” alleged by Emirati prosecutors.
“The first time I was hit, I thought something had gone terribly wrong with the aircraft structure and that something had fallen on my head,” Machchhar told The National.
He said the first blow nearly caused him to fall onto the aircraft’s control column. When the blows continued seconds later, he realised that the person attacking him was his own co-pilot, whom he had trusted as a member of the flight crew.
Machchhar said he could not clearly remember everything that happened next. However, he managed to free himself from his seat belt and open the cockpit door after several attempts.
He recalled shouting for help from his colleagues before losing consciousness and falling face down inside the cockpit.
The captain later remembered being pulled out of the cockpit amid confusion and panic. Passengers and crew members eventually restrained the attacker, while two off-duty Flydubai pilots took control of the aircraft.
“The next thing I remember was being pulled out by one of the passengers. Soon afterwards, the senior cabin crew member reached me and helped me. That is how I am speaking to you today,” he said.
Captain uncertain about plumber's role
When asked about reports that Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun helped stop the attempted hijacking, Machchhar said he was not aware of the plumber’s account.
Hayoun has claimed that he entered the cockpit, fought the co-pilot and pinned him down before helping regain control of the aircraft. He also told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that watching the television programme Air Crash Investigation had taught him how to control a plane.
Machchhar said his main concern during the incident was to stay alive and avoid giving up. He recalled hearing a senior flight crew member announce that the captain was in control.
Asked whether a plumber could land an aircraft, Machchhar said he did not want to speculate. He explained that, at the time, all his energy was focused on surviving the attack. His comments did not clearly establish whether he doubted Hayoun’s account or was simply unfamiliar with the details.
The Omani co-pilot was taken into custody after the aircraft landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was initially treated at a hospital in the kingdom before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further recovery. On October 6, the Indian Embassy said the captain was making steady progress and recovering his health.