Flydubai hijack attempt: how a crash axe, passengers and reserve pilots averted disaster
According to BBC News, a co‑pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked the captain with a crash axe, sending the aircraft down 17,000 ft (5,200 m) before passengers and reserve pilots regained control and landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The incident highlights how cockpit security, emergency signalling and passenger intervention intersect in an emergency.
How the crew and passengers responded
The aircraft, carrying more than 170 people, began a steep descent about two and a half hours after take‑off. The captain, Smit Machchhar, was stabbed and fell to the floor but managed to open the cockpit door from the inside. An Israeli passenger, Tali Manes, raised the alarm, and her husband Zvika together with three other men—Yaniv Hayun, Dr Shota Musayev and Asaf Rajuan—rushed into the cockpit.
Hayun later described putting the attacker in a chokehold and pulling him out, while other passengers helped to restrain him. The attackers’ attempt to destroy the flight instruments was halted, and the plane’s altitude began to stabilise. Two reserve pilots, who were on board as part of the airline’s policy for long‑haul routes, took over the controls and executed a safe landing in Saudi Arabia.
Cockpit security, emergency codes and the crash axe
| Emergency squawk code | Meaning | Typical crew response |
|---|---|---|
| 7700 | General emergency (any serious problem) | Pilots broadcast the code, air traffic control prioritises the aircraft and offers assistance. |
| 7500 | Unlawful interference, i.e., hijacking | Controllers treat the flight as a security threat, scramble fighter jets if needed and coordinate with military and police. |
In this flight the pilots first transmitted 7700 and then switched to 7500, signalling the shift from a technical emergency to a security breach. The crash axe, a tool kept in the cockpit for emergencies such as a door jam, is normally secured but accessible to the flight crew. Its presence made it possible for the co‑pilot—identified by Israeli officials as Omani national Hamam al‑Hammami, though not officially confirmed—to use it as a weapon.
Cockpit doors have been reinforced since the 9/11 attacks, requiring a crew member to unlock them from inside. That rule saved lives here: the captain’s effort to open the door, even while injured, prevented the attacker from sealing the cockpit.
The hidden trade‑off: training, screening and staffing
The co‑pilot had previously been removed from flight training at Oman Air over “concerns about radical views”, according to U.S. media cited by the BBC report. He later completed a distance‑learning degree in aviation management from Buckinghamshire New University in 2023, but the university confirmed he did not receive pilot training there.
Airlines in the Gulf region often employ pilots from a wide pool of nationalities, balancing the need for qualified crew against the difficulty of vetting every candidate for extremist sympathies. The incident shows a trade‑off: tighter background checks may reduce the risk of insider threats but could also limit the pool of available pilots, especially for rapidly expanding carriers.
Reserve pilots on the flight acted as a safety net. Their presence is a cost that airlines accept to meet regulatory requirements for long‑distance routes and to provide redundancy when a primary crew member is incapacitated. In practice, this usually means an extra salary line for a crew member who may never fly, but it can be the difference between a crash and a safe landing.
What to watch next
UAE authorities have opened an investigation to determine whether the attack was linked to terrorist activity. Expect the following developments:
- A forensic report on the axe and any DNA evidence, which will confirm the weapon’s origin and possibly the attacker’s identity.
- A review of cockpit‑access policies by the General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE, potentially leading to stricter storage rules for tools like the crash axe.
- Statements from Oman Air regarding their pilot‑screening procedures, especially if internal documents about the co‑pilot’s removal become public.
- Possible diplomatic dialogue between India, Oman and the UAE, given the Indian captain’s injury and the Omani nationality of the assailant.
Airlines worldwide will likely monitor the outcome, as it may influence how they balance security equipment accessibility with the risk of misuse.
Practical steps for travelers
- Familiarise yourself with the emergency signs above the seats; the 7700 and 7500 codes are announced by the crew in a hijack situation.
- If you notice unusual activity in the cockpit, alert a flight attendant immediately. The prompt action by passengers on this flight was crucial.
- Keep a clear line of sight on the exits and follow crew instructions without hesitation.
- For airline staff, consider a quick refresher on how to secure cockpit tools and how to respond if a crew member becomes a threat.
By staying alert and understanding the basic emergency signals, passengers can contribute to a safer environment on any flight.
