Omani pilot used crash ax to stab Captain Smit Machchar on Flydubai flight — what’s its purpose? Expert explains | Today’s news
Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, allegedly “attempted an act of terrorism” during flight FZ1073 to Tel Aviv, Israel on Wednesday.
According to the UAE state news agency WAM, citing Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi, he used a crash ax from the cockpit to attack Indian captain Smit Machchhar.
Aviation expert Harsh Vardhan told LiveMint that the cockpit carries several safety features, including a crash axe, a portable fire extinguisher, flashlights, life jackets and fireproof gloves. He explained that the crash ax can be used when crew members need to get to areas behind aircraft panels during a fire, or when access to doors is difficult due to electrical system failure or jammed doors.
“Various safety equipment like Crash Axe, portable fire extinguisher, flash lights, life jackets, fireproof gloves etc. are stored in the cockpit. The use of these items in an emergency is different. The Crash Ax is used to open the panel in case of fire in case the electrical system to open the door fails or the door is blocked for some reason,” said Vardhan.
What happened to flight FZ1073?
The incident occurred roughly two and a half hours after the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight departed on September 30. Reuters reported that the plane fell about 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds after the collision in the cockpit. Before the situation could be brought under control, the autopilot disengaged and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 accelerated during descent.
Machchhar survived the attack and was subsequently treated for his injuries. The backup pilot on board took control of the plane and landed it safely in Saudi Arabia, while the co-pilot was detained and later taken into custody in the United Arab Emirates.
The co-pilot allegedly planned the attack before joining flydubai
A flydubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed his captain in an attempt to take control of the plane told UAE investigators he planned the attack before joining Dubai’s state-owned airline, according to Reuters, citing two Israeli officials familiar with the investigation.
A third source briefed on the UAE probe said the Omani national allegedly intended to crash at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv last Wednesday. The co-pilot also flew a Tel Aviv-bound flight earlier this year and reportedly considered hijacking and crashing that plane, but ultimately abandoned the plan, the source said.
The reason for his decision to abandon the earlier plan was not immediately known. However, the source said the co-pilot was believed to have known someone traveling on the flight.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing the ongoing investigation. UAE and Israeli authorities did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment, while flydubai also did not immediately comment.
Australia is investigating the co-pilot’s connection to the ground
Australian authorities are investigating the grounding of flydubai’s co-pilot after he allegedly stabbed his captain and tried to take control of flight FZ1073, a police spokeswoman said on Sunday.
A Victorian joint counter-terrorism team made up of the Australian Federal Police, Victoria State Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) was “investigating the man’s links to Australia,” an Australian Federal Police spokesman said.
