The flydubai co-pilot allegedly used an emergency crash ax to attack the pilot and seize control of the cockpit in what United Arab Emirates authorities have described as an attempted terrorist attack, the country’s prosecutor general said.
Hamam al-Hammami allegedly struck pilot Smit Machchhar with the ax, an emergency tool normally kept inside the cockpit, UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said.
The 29-year-old Omani national was arrested after allegedly attempting to hijack the Israel-bound flight on Wednesday. The United Arab Emirates, which is overseeing the investigation, has classified the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
The aircraft reportedly plunged 18,000 feet before passengers managed to restrain al-Hammami and help regain control of the plane.
Despite being attacked with the hatchet, Machchhar was able to open the cockpit door, allowing several of the 182 passengers to enter and intervene.
Among them was Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun, who allegedly placed al-Hammami in a headlock, pulled him away from the captain’s seat and took hold of the controls to help stabilize the aircraft.
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The plane later made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia under the direction of two backup pilots who were traveling onboard.
Al-Hammami had previously worked for Oman Air but was dismissed after what sources familiar with the matter said was the discovery of radical ideology on his cellphone.
According to The Wall Street Journal, all flydubai pilots undergo security screening before operating flights, as well as medical examinations at least once a year.
First officers promoted to captain are also required to complete internal psychological evaluations. However, it remains unclear whether al-Hammami underwent a comparable assessment, the outlet reported.
“We recognize that there are many questions at this stage; however, the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation,” flydubai said in a statement.
“We are therefore not in a position to comment further beyond our published statements. We remain fully committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and are in close coordination with the relevant government authorities and regulators,” the airline added.
With Post wires
