Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar described how he opened the cockpit door despite serious injuries during a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 3. His account explained how passengers gained access as flight FZ1073 descended sharply.

The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, said the co-pilot had attempted a terrorist act. The co-pilot attacked Machchhar with an emergency axe. His motive remains unclear.

The captain’s account of the attack

Machchhar told Netanyahu that the co-pilot had asked to pray in the cockpit. He looked forward out of respect, then felt a heavy blow and initially thought something had happened to the aircraft. Repeated blows made him realise that the co-pilot was attacking him.

The captain said his vision became badly blurred as the aircraft entered a steep descent. He opened the cockpit door once, but the co-pilot closed it again, leaving him on the floor. He could hear passengers screaming as they tried to enter using the access code.

Machchhar said he eventually reached the door’s internal handle and turned it quickly. That allowed passengers to enter, subdue the co-pilot and help stabilise the aircraft.

The BBC reported that two reserve pilots then landed the aircraft safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Euronews reported 174 passengers and six crew members aboard, while an Israeli news outlet gave a total of 174 people.

Investigation and the captain’s recovery

Media reports, including those by The Wall Street Journal and CNN, identified the Omani co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami. He was taken into custody after the aircraft landed in Tabuk.

Machchhar is receiving treatment in the UAE. The Indian Embassy there said on October 3 that he was in stable condition and recovering well.

Netanyahu praised the captain’s actions and invited him and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a flame on Israel’s next Independence Day. Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defence Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid also visited Machchhar in hospital. He praised the captain’s courage and care for human life.

Questions over crew screening

Reports said al-Hammami had previously been removed from flying duties at Oman Air over concerns about his views. He was later employed by Flydubai. Other reports said Royal Air Maroc had rejected him after training.

According to an Israeli news outlet, Netanyahu acknowledged a security loophole that allowed the Omani national to serve on the Israel-bound flight. The outlet also cited an unnamed Transportation Ministry security official describing how foreign crews are screened.

The official said Israel does not independently conduct intelligence checks on foreign pilots. Instead, it receives confirmation from airlines that their crews have undergone the required screening. A May 2024 State Comptroller report had recommended coordinated work among the agencies responsible for civil aviation security.