Stories
Flydubai Pilot Questions Israeli Hero's Role in Mid-Air Hijack Bid
N
News18•19-10-2026, 13:59
Flydubai Pilot Questions Israeli Hero's Role in Mid-Air Hijack Bid
- •Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar expressed doubt over Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun's claims of subduing the co-pilot during an attempted hijacking.
- •Machchhar recalled being brutally attacked in the cockpit by his Omani co-pilot Hamad al-Hammami with a crash axe in a suspected terrorist plot.
- •The injured Indian pilot stated his entire focus was on survival and keeping the aircraft from crashing, leaving him unaware of specific passenger interventions.
- •Hayoun had claimed he broke into the cockpit and pinned down the attacker after learning how to control a plane from television shows.
- •Passengers, crew, and two off-duty Flydubai pilots ultimately intervened to restrain the attacker and safely control the aircraft.
Key Questions Answered
Captain Smit Machchhar stated that he was unfamiliar with the plumber story and that his entire focus and energy during the incident were dedicated to staying alive while fighting off the co-pilot.
The Omani co-pilot, Hamad al-Hammami, repeatedly struck Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit using an emergency crash axe in what Emirati prosecutors described as a premeditated terrorist plot.
Despite his injuries, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the attacker while two off-duty Flydubai pilots took control of the plane.
