Flydubai Captain Describes Blocking Axe Blows From a Co-Pilot Accused of Trying to Crash Into Israel's Main Airport
UAE authorities allege the 29-year-old co-pilot planned a suicide attack on Ben Gurion Airport. The plane dropped 4,900 meters in 30 seconds before two other pilots stopped him.
By Watchman Report staff ·
The captain of a flydubai flight to Israel has described fending off repeated axe blows to his head from his co-pilot, ABC News (Australia) reported Monday, citing an interview Capt. Smit Machchhar gave The National newspaper from his hospital bed. "I told myself that, Smit, do something," he said. "You can't die like this."
Emirati authorities accuse the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, 29, of trying to take control of the plane and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv in a "suicide attack." The accusation is an allegation, and he has not been convicted. UAE authorities also allege he was radicalized while studying in Melbourne; Australian authorities have not verified that claim.
The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, was in Saudi airspace when the attack happened and fell 4,900 meters in 30 seconds before two other pilots on board stopped the co-pilot, ABC reported. Machchhar opened the cockpit door so passengers could help restrain the attacker, and the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia, where al-Hammami was handed to Emirati custody.
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