Pilot Bludgeoned With an Axe Reveals Terrifying Battle to Save 180 Lives

A routine flight suddenly turned into a fight for survival when a Flydubai captain was allegedly attacked with an axe inside the cockpit — leaving him badly injured and almost unable to see as the aircraft plunged thousands of feet.
Captain Smit Machchhar has now revealed the terrifying moments he says unfolded during the flight, describing how he was forced to make one final desperate attempt to regain control before the situation became catastrophic.

According to Machchhar, the nightmare began when his co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly told him that he wanted to pray. The request did not immediately raise suspicion, as Machchhar said such a request was not unusual.

But when the captain looked away, the co-pilot allegedly struck him from behind with an axe.

Machchhar said the first blow made him initially fear that something catastrophic had happened to the aircraft. Then the attacks continued, and he realized that he himself was being targeted. His vision became severely impaired, making it almost impossible for him to fight back.

The situation became even more terrifying as the plane suddenly dropped approximately 17,000 feet. Machchhar recalled hearing passengers scream while he lay injured on the cockpit floor.

Yet, despite his injuries, the captain realized he had one final chance.
He forced himself toward the cockpit door and managed to open it. People outside then rushed in and helped take control of the aircraft, bringing the terrifying confrontation to an end.

Israeli intelligence has alleged that al-Hammami had planned a much larger attack, potentially involving the aircraft being deliberately crashed into Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. Authorities have also alleged that he had discussed the plan during questioning and had previously attempted to obtain employment with other airlines. These claims remain allegations from investigators and have not been independently established in court.

The alleged plan has been compared by Israeli sources to the September 11 attacks because of the reported intention to use a passenger aircraft as a weapon.

Machchhar later recounted his ordeal to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who praised the captain’s courage and credited his actions with helping protect the approximately 180 people aboard the aircraft. Netanyahu called him a hero and invited him to take part in Israel’s next Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony.

What happened inside that cockpit lasted only moments, but the consequences could have been devastating. Had Machchhar been unable to reach the door, investigators believe the alleged plan could have resulted in a catastrophic loss of life.

Instead, an injured captain made one last attempt to fight back — and opened the door that may have saved an entire plane.

Source: The Sun, Israeli intelligence statements, comments from Captain Smit Machchhar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.