Flydubai co-pilot attacks captain with axe mid-flight on FZ1073; passengers overpower him

A co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe at 30,000 feet on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from the UAE towards Israel. Co-pilot Hamam al-Hamami suddenly launched a murderous assault on the main captain, Smit Machhar, striking him with the emergency axe kept in the cockpit. The attack caused panic on board, and the aircraft was in danger of going out of control.

Despite deep wounds, Captain Machhar did not give up. As a last resort, he unlocked the cockpit security door. When it opened, passengers and off-roster pilots outside realised a fight was under way inside. Tali Manes heard the noise first and called for help. Yaniv Hayun, Asaf Rajouan and Zhavika Manes then rushed into the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot.

The mood on the aircraft stayed tense after the attacker was caught. Cabin crew asked passengers to return to their seats and clear the area around the cockpit. But after what had happened, passengers grew suspicious of the crew. They feared the cabin crew might also be involved in the incident or a conspiracy. They therefore flatly refused the crew's request and declined to release the bound attacker.

Passengers Jivika Manes and Daniel Schlichter said crew members were pressing them. The passengers, putting their own safety first, tied the attacker tightly with earphone wires. They said clearly: "We have to protect ourselves and we will not let him go until the police arrive." The passengers' vigilance made it possible to regain control of the aircraft.

After tying up Hamam al-Hamami, the passengers put an oxygen mask on him so that he would stay alive and the truth behind the plot could emerge in the investigation. Dr Shota Musev, a dentist travelling on the flight, gave first aid to the seriously injured captain. The captain had deep wounds, but his presence of mind saved all 175 passengers on board.

After control of the cockpit was regained, the off-roster pilots began trying to bring the aircraft down safely. The plane finally made a safe emergency landing at an airport in Saudi Arabia. Local police and security agencies boarded immediately, took the attacker into custody and admitted the injured captain to hospital.