Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has described the cockpit struggle that followed an attack by his co-pilot during a flight carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. Speaking in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Machchhar said he forced open the cockpit door while suffering blurred vision and trying to prevent the aircraft from entering a steep descent.
The account, released by Netanyahu’s office, offers further detail about the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073. The United Arab Emirates’ prosecutor general has described the co-pilot’s actions as an attempted terrorist attack, while authorities continue to investigate the circumstances and motive.
Captain says co-pilot attacked him inside cockpit
Machchhar told Netanyahu that the co-pilot had asked to pray in the cockpit. He said he regarded the request as unusual enough to notice but did not view it as a threat and chose not to look behind him.
According to the captain’s account, he then felt a heavy impact. He initially thought the aircraft had suffered a technical problem, before realising that the co-pilot was striking him. Machchhar said he opened the cockpit door once, but it was closed again as he fell to the floor.
The captain said his vision became severely blurred while the aircraft moved into a steep descent. He tried repeatedly to reopen the door as passengers attempted to gain access using the cockpit entry code.
How passengers helped regain control
Machchhar recalled hearing the aircraft descend rapidly and passengers screaming in the cabin. He told Netanyahu that he reached for the cockpit’s internal twist handle and opened the door with a quick movement.
Once the door opened, passengers entered the cockpit and subdued the co-pilot, according to the captain’s description. The aircraft was then stabilised.
Machchhar said he felt he had “one more fight left” when he made the final attempt to open the door. The account has made the captain’s actions central to the continuing investigation into the flight.
UAE authorities describe incident as terrorist act
The UAE prosecutor general said on Saturday that the co-pilot used a crash axe against the captain and attempted to carry out a terrorist attack. UAE presidential diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash also referred to the incident as a “dangerous terrorist act”.
Those statements represent the UAE authorities’ current characterisation of the incident. The source material does not provide a completed judicial finding or a confirmed motive, so allegations about the co-pilot’s intentions remain part of the investigation.
Several media outlets have identified the co-pilot as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. The Telegraph reported that he studied aviation at Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom and had posted extremist and violent comments on social media. Those reports have not, in the supplied material, been confirmed by a court or presented as a final official finding.
Netanyahu praises captain’s courage
During the call, Netanyahu praised Machchhar’s conduct and wished him a full recovery. The Israeli prime minister also invited the captain and his family to visit Israel when he is medically able to travel.
Netanyahu said Machchhar had shown exceptional courage and invited him, together with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to light a ceremonial flame during Israel’s next Independence Day celebrations. The source describes this as an honour generally associated with Israeli citizens.
Israeli Ambassador to the UAE Yossi Shelley was present at Machchhar’s bedside during the conversation. The invitation was also extended to the captain’s family.
UAE officials visit injured captain
Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid also visited Machchhar in hospital. He praised the captain’s bravery and said the pilot had demonstrated courage, responsibility and concern for human life.
The visit underlined the official response in the UAE, where Machchhar has been publicly recognised for his actions during the emergency. The available account does not give a detailed medical update beyond indicating that he was recovering in hospital.
What happens next in the investigation?
The investigation is expected to examine the sequence of events inside the cockpit, the aircraft’s flight path, the security procedures used to access the cockpit and the co-pilot’s alleged motive.
- Authorities will need to establish the full timeline of the attack.
- Investigators are expected to assess cockpit recordings, aircraft data and witness accounts.
- The legal classification of the incident will depend on the outcome of the UAE investigation and any subsequent proceedings.
- Information about the co-pilot’s background and online activity will need to be assessed and verified by investigators.
The incident has wider aviation implications because it involves cockpit security, crew access procedures and the ability of passengers and cabin staff to respond during an in-flight emergency. However, the supplied information does not identify any new aviation rule or international safety measure introduced as a result of the event.
Why the incident matters beyond the flight
The Flydubai attack has drawn attention across the region because the aircraft was carrying a large number of passengers and the reported struggle occurred during flight. It also involves several countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Israel, India, Oman and the United Kingdom, through the nationalities, official reactions and reported educational background connected with the case.
For European readers, the reported link to a UK university is relevant only as part of the background investigation. It does not establish responsibility for the incident or show that the institution was connected to the alleged attack.
Conclusion
The captain’s account provides a clearer picture of how he and passengers responded after the reported cockpit attack on Flydubai flight FZ1073. Machchhar says he reopened the door despite serious injuries and helped create the opportunity for passengers to subdue the co-pilot and stabilise the aircraft.
The UAE authorities have described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack, but the investigation remains essential to establish the facts, motive and legal consequences. The immediate focus is now on Machchhar’s recovery and on the official findings surrounding the flight.
