Flydubai Captain Recounts Survival of Cockpit Axe Attack

Captain Smit Machchhar recounted his survival after first officer Hamam al-Hammami attacked him with a crash axe on September 30 during flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. While flying over the Saudi desert, al-Hammami struck Machchhar on the back of the head, causing the Boeing 737 to dive between 14,000 and 17,000 feet in less than a minute as engines spooled down.

Machchhar reported losing consciousness and bleeding during the assault but eventually managed to open the cockpit door. This allowed crew members and passengers to enter and subdue al-Hammami. Two off-duty flydubai pilots then took control of the aircraft. Investigations indicate al-Hammami, an Omani national, had plotted a suicide attack to crash the plane into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.

Machchhar recently questioned claims made by a passenger, Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun, who asserted he subdued the attacker with a chokehold and helped fly the plane. Machchhar stated he was unaware of these events, as his focus remained on surviving the attack and regaining control. Al-Hammami is currently under terrorism investigation in the United Arab Emirates. Machchhar, an Indian national, expressed his intention to return to flying after receiving medical treatment and repatriation ordered by the UAE government.