# Flydubai Hijack Attempt Thwarted: Co-Pilot Plotted Skyscraper Crash in Tel Aviv Before Cockpit Struggle

> A major aviation disaster was averted aboard a Flydubai flight after an Omani co-pilot attacked the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft into a Tel Aviv skyscraper.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Asia · **Published:** 2026-10-05 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/asia/dubai-tel-aviv-flight-men-kokapita-hamala-imarata-se-takarane-ki-rachi-thi-sajisha-sujhabujha-se-bachi-saikaron-janen-42983 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Flydubai, Hijack Attempt, Cockpit Attack, Tel Aviv, Aviation Safety, Boeing 737

A catastrophic disaster was averted mid-air aboard a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv after a co-pilot attempted a hostile takeover of the aircraft. Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami launched a violent assault on the flight commander, Captain Smit Machhar, intending to seize full control of the plane. His primary objective was to steer the passenger jet into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv. When that initial scheme fell apart amid fierce resistance, he attempted to plunge the plane directly into the desert. However, the remarkable endurance of the injured captain, combined with the quick bravery of passengers and two off-duty pilots, successfully prevented the crash. Aviation investigators are actively examining whether the rogue co-pilot also shut off the fuel supply switches to both engines during the struggle.

## Premeditated Assault Inside the Cockpit
The harrowing incident unfolded when al-Hammami feigned a desire to pray inside the cockpit to catch the captain off guard. Seizing an opportunity, he grabbed the cockpit's onboard crash axe and launched a brutal assault against Captain Smit Machhar. The sudden blow inflicted serious trauma to the captain's head and hands. Despite severe bleeding and agonizing injuries, Captain Machhar fought back fiercely and attempted to unlatch the cockpit access door. Although al-Hammami actively attempted to block the door and keep it sealed from inside, the captain mustered a final burst of physical strength, successfully releasing the latch to alert the cabin.

The opening of the door immediately alerted those outside that an extreme emergency was taking place. Passengers alongside two off-duty pilots traveling on the flight rushed toward the flight deck to intervene and overpower the attacker.

## Aborted Skyscraper Target and Violent Desert Dive
Evidence gathered in the aftermath indicates that al-Hammami's primary plan was to kill Captain Machhar, navigate the aircraft toward Tel Aviv, and intentionally slam it into a high-rise building. Realizing his original plot was no longer feasible once the cockpit was breached, he pivoted toward bringing down the airliner in the desert terrain below.

Al-Hammami disengaged the autopilot system and aggressively pushed the flight control stick downward. This abrupt action sent the aircraft into a terrifying plunge, shedding roughly 16,000 feet of altitude in just 30 seconds. In the midst of this dive, the co-pilot also attempted to sabotage the flight controls to prevent any recovery before bystanders could pin him down.

## Plumber's Quick Reflexes and Pilot Intervention
During the rapid descent, a passenger identified as Yaniv Hayun, a plumber by trade, acted decisively. He stepped into the flight deck and hauled the control stick backward toward himself with substantial force, arresting the steep dive and stabilizing the aircraft's pitch. Simultaneously, other passengers restrained al-Hammami, eliminating further internal threats.

Two off-duty pilots traveling on board promptly took over the flight controls. Utilizing their professional training, they stabilized the aircraft, navigated through the crisis, and guided the jet away from catastrophe, preserving the lives of everyone on board.

## Cabin Emergency Lighting and Engine Fuel Suspicions
Video footage recorded between passenger seats during the ordeal revealed that the cabin emergency lighting had illuminated during the flight. These emergency luminaires are typically engineered to guide evacuations while the aircraft is grounded or facing severe runway emergencies. Their activation while cruising at high altitude signaled an extraordinary electrical shift.

Under Boeing 737 electrical architecture, the aircraft transitions to internal battery power when main electrical generators stop supplying current, triggering the automatic activation of emergency cabin lights. This power drop occurs either if electrical generators trip offline or if fuel supply to both engines is abruptly cut off. This specific mechanical evidence reinforces suspicions among safety investigators that al-Hammami flipped the dual-engine fuel shutoff switches, a critical aspect that remains under exhaustive technical examination.

## What this means for you
Aviation authorities worldwide are likely to tighten flight crew vetting procedures and cockpit security protocols following this unprecedented mid-air incident.

- **Passenger Safety:** Airlines may implement much stricter psychological evaluations and monitoring for operating flight crews. Travelers could see heightened cockpit access protocols and revised procedural checks on international routes.
- **Aviation Regulations:** Regulators will review two-person cockpit rules and procedures surrounding pilot absences during flight phases. This could lead to mandatory real-time cockpit health and behavior checks.
- **Operational Changes:** Commercial carriers operating through high-tension corridors may enforce stricter onboard intervention guidelines. Airlines will focus on rapid emergency handovers in case of crew incapacitation.
- **Crisis Preparedness:** The swift action of off-duty pilots and passengers underscores the importance of cabin situational awareness. Aviation bodies will examine the technical telemetry of this flight to reinforce emergency fail-safes.

## Why this happened
The life-threatening situation arose after the co-pilot orchestrated a deliberate, premeditated plot to hijack the aircraft and crash it into a civilian target.

- **Targeted Plot:** Co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami planned to fly the jet toward Tel Aviv and slam it into a major skyscraper. When that plot collapsed, he attempted an intentional dive into the desert.
- **Premeditated Cockpit Ambush:** The co-pilot used the pretext of offering prayers inside the flight deck to lower the captain's guard. He then seized the onboard crash axe to assault the captain.
- **Deliberate Sabotage:** The perpetrator turned off the autopilot, forced the control stick down to induce a 16,000-foot drop in 30 seconds, and allegedly switched off fuel switches to starve both engines.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which flight route was involved in this incident?
The incident took place on a Flydubai flight operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

### 2. What was the co-pilot's primary objective?
His original plan was to eliminate the captain and fly the plane into a skyscraper in Tel Aviv.

### 3. What weapon did the co-pilot use during the assault?
He pretended to pray in the cockpit before attacking Captain Smit Machhar with an emergency crash axe.

### 4. Why did the plane suddenly lose altitude?
The co-pilot disconnected the autopilot and forced the control stick down, causing a 16,000-foot drop in 30 seconds.

### 5. Who intervened to stop the steep descent?
Passenger Yaniv Hayun pulled the control stick back, and two off-duty pilots then took over the flight deck.

### 6. Why did the cabin emergency lights turn on mid-flight?
On a Boeing 737, emergency lights activate on battery power if generators trip or if both engines are shut off.

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