Kumar Bahukhandi
Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, whose actions helped prevent a potentially catastrophic outcome aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073. Despite sustaining serious injuries during the cockpit attack, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers, crew members and off-duty pilots to intervene and regain control of the aircraft-Photo AFP
Israeli media reports say Hamam al-Hammami intended to kill Captain Smit Machchhar, maintain a normal flight profile until landing clearance and then deliberately crash the aircraft
Key Highlights
- Co-pilot allegedly intended to use the aircraft as a weapon after incapacitating the captain.
- Investigators are examining whether he acted alone or had links with another person or organisation.
- Injured Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene.
- Passengers, crew and off-duty pilots helped overpower the accused and regain control of the aircraft.
- The flight made an emergency landing at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
- Reports of the accused co-pilot’s previous employment and alleged extremist-linked social media activity are also under investigation.
Fresh details emerging from the investigation into the attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073 have raised concerns that the incident may have involved a premeditated attempt to turn the passenger aircraft into a weapon.
According to Israeli media reports, co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly told investigators in the United Arab Emirates that he intended to kill Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and continue operating the aircraft normally until it received the required clearance to land at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. He then allegedly planned to deliberately crash the aircraft into a building or another aircraft at the airport.
The alleged strategy appears to have been aimed at avoiding suspicion for as long as possible, allowing the aircraft to approach its intended target under what would appear to air traffic controllers to be a normal landing procedure. The claims remain part of an ongoing investigation and have not yet been established through judicial proceedings.
Reports said al-Hammami attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit while Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai towards Tel Aviv. UAE authorities have said the co-pilot used a cockpit crash axe during the assault and are treating the incident as an alleged terrorist act.
Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar fought back and eventually managed to open the cockpit door. His action allowed people outside the cockpit to intervene and overpower the accused co-pilot. Off-duty pilots travelling aboard the aircraft subsequently helped regain control of the flight.
The aircraft was diverted and made an emergency landing at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Reports on the exact number of people aboard have varied, with some accounts citing 174 passengers and others giving totals that include crew members. No serious passenger casualties were reported.
Investigators are now trying to determine whether al-Hammami acted independently or whether another individual or organisation may have been involved in planning or directing the alleged attack. UAE authorities have said the circumstances and motive remain under investigation.
Attention has also turned to the accused co-pilot’s aviation history. Reports citing officials and people familiar with the investigation say al-Hammami had previously worked with Oman Air and had been prevented from flying following concerns about extremist views. These circumstances are now under scrutiny as investigators examine how he subsequently obtained a cockpit position with flydubai.
Investigators are additionally examining social-media accounts reportedly associated with al-Hammami. Media reports have described posts involving Israeli aircraft as well as material connected with former al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. The authenticity, context and significance of such material remain matters for investigators to establish.
The widening investigation now extends beyond what happened inside the cockpit. Authorities and security agencies are examining the accused man’s background, previous aviation employment, possible signs of radicalisation and whether information available before the flight should have triggered greater scrutiny.
