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Flydubai Crew Asked Passengers to Release Co-Pilot After Cockpit Attack
M
Moneycontrol•04-10-2026, 09:52
Flydubai Crew Asked Passengers to Release Co-Pilot After Cockpit Attack
- •Passengers on Flydubai Flight FZ1073 subdued Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami after he attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.
- •Despite serious injuries, Captain Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and restrain al-Hammami with plastic ties and headphone cords.
- •Some cabin crew members reportedly asked passengers to release the restrained co-pilot, leading to a tense standoff.
- •Passengers, including Tzvika Manes and Daniel Schlichter, refused to release al-Hammami, stating they wanted him to survive for investigation.
- •Two off-duty pilots on board took control of the aircraft, which made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, while UAE authorities are investigating the incident as a "terrorist act."
Key Questions Answered
An Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe inside the cockpit on a Tel Aviv-bound Flydubai flight, leading passengers to intervene and restrain the suspect before making an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Passengers refused requests from some cabin crew members to release the restrained co-pilot, keeping him tied up until the plane landed so he could face investigation, while two off-duty pilots took control of the aircraft.
UAE authorities have officially described the alleged attempt to crash the aircraft during the flight as a terrorist act, while investigations into the incident remain ongoing.
