- Smit Machchhar recalls co-pilot's crash axe attack.
- Struggled to escape cockpit, lost consciousness.
- Unaware of plumber Hayoun's reported intervention.
Indian pilot and Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has shared more details about the terrifying moment his Omani co-pilot attacked him with a crash axe aboard a plane carrying 172 passengers. He recalled the September 30 attack and shared his thoughts on Israeli plumber Hayoun’s reported role in stopping the attempted hijacking.
Machchhar Recalls The Sudden Attack
Speaking to The National from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, Machchhar revealed he had been sitting with first officer Hamad al-Hammami for two hours before the attack. He noticed nothing unusual, despite what Emirati prosecutors described as a "premeditated terrorist plot". “The first time when I was hit...my thought was something's gone horribly wrong with the aircraft structure, which has fallen on my head," Machchhar told The National.
“It almost made me fall on my control column. In the next couple of seconds, when the hits kept on coming, I realised it's the other person who I thought was supposed to be on the team,” he added. Machchhar said he managed to free himself from his seat belt and opened the cockpit door after several attempts. He then called for help but soon lost consciousness.
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He later remembered being pulled out of the cockpit amid "chaos and commotion". Passengers and crew restrained the attacker, while two off-duty Flydubai pilots took control of the aircraft. "The next thing I remember was being pulled out by one of the passengers. And then, soon after that, the senior cabin crew thankfully reached where I was and did his magic. And yeah, that's how I'm speaking to you today," Machchhar said.
Machchhar On Plumber's Role
Questioned about the plumber’s role, Machchhar said he was not aware of the story. He responded by saying: “I don't know about the plumber story, to be very honest…My entire energy was focusing towards not giving up...I do remember the senior of the flight speaking and saying that the captain was at control.”
He further added, “Can a plumber land an aircraft? I don't want to get into the guesswork here, but at the same time to answer your question, my recollection and my energy at that point were just to keep myself alive.” Notably, the plumber, Hayoun has claimed that he entered the cockpit, overpowered the co-pilot and helped bring the aircraft under control. He also told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that watching Air Crash Investigation had taught him how to control a plane. Machchhar’s remarks come as he continues to make recovery after being injured in the attack.
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