Flydubai's Co-Pilot Used 'Emergency Crash Axe' To Stab Captain Smit In Terrorist Cockpit Attack
Flydubai's co-pilot, who has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, used an 'emergency crash axe' on Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in an attempt to hijack the plane.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleA horrific incident unfolded mid-air on the Flydubai flight when a co-pilot tried to hijack the plane by stabbing the pilot, Smit Machchhar. However, the Indian pilot fought bravely and saved 170 people on board. The flight was on its way to Tel Aviv, Israel, when the incident unfolded.
Co-pilot stabbed Smit Machchhar with crash axe
New details have emerged, revealing that Smit Machchhar was stabbed by another pilot in an attempted hijacking. The United Arab Emirates said that the suspect used a crash axe in the terrorist operation. It happened at around 9 a.m. on September 30, 2026, when Flydubai Flight FZ1073 gave a hijacking signal in Israel. They alerted the local authorities, Reuters, CNN, and the Israeli outlet N12.
The flight landed safely in Saudi Arabia after diverting from the route. The co-pilot's intention was clear: to hijack the plane and crash it. When the incident unfolded, pilot Smit opened the cockpit door to get help, and people came to the rescue. Afterward, a team of pilots took control of the stabber and the plane.
According to the BBC, it was a terrorist act, as the co-pilot initiated the execution of his plot in mid-air. He assaulted the pilot and used an emergency crash axe to stab him. He wanted to take control of the aircraft. The Emirati lawyer general said:
"The co-pilot initiated the execution of his plot during the flight, assaulting the pilot inside the cockpit using an emergency crash axe and attempting to take control of the aircraft’s flight controls."
For the unversed, Crash axes are important tools stored in plane cockpits for emergencies. The co-pilot was identified as 29-year-old Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami. He was working as a co-pilot trainee for Oman Air in 2024. Investigators are still trying to determine how the co-pilot was allowed to fly for Flydubai and how he ended up as the first officer of a plane headed to Israel. Flydubai shared a statement which can be read as:
"We recognize that there are many questions at this stage; however, the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation. We are therefore not in a position to comment further beyond our published statements. We remain fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and are in close coordination with the relevant government authorities and regulators."
Captain Smit Machchhar made many proud by saving the lives of 170 people mid-air. He prevented the plane from crashing even after he was attacked and the aircraft plunged 17,000 feet. Captain Smit revealed that he has been flying planes for 17 years and has been a captain for the past 11 years.
Even with his eyes closed, he could tell what was happening in a plane. When he fell, he could feel the plane was going down, and he gave it one last push. He was still being attacked when he opened the cockpit, hoping to get help. He said:
"In that moment, I was fighting for my life. I have been flying planes for 17 years and have been a captain for 11. Even with my eyes closed, I can tell what’s happening in a plane. When I fell, I could tell the plane was going down. I told myself to give it one last push. Others came in and also played a role [in controlling the situation]. I was, of course, fighting for my own life, but at the same time I knew I was not going to let others die."
What do you think about Flydubai's attempted hijack and crash plan laid out by the co-pilot?
Next Read: Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar Gets Emotional, Recalls Hijack Attempt, 'Aircraft Neeche Ja Raha Tha'
