Flydubai captain describes moment he was attacked by co-pilot during attempted hijacking

• Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has cast doubt on claims that an Israeli plumber helped land his aircraft following an attempted hijacking on 30 September.
• The flight from the UAE to Israel plunged 14,000 feet after co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked Captain Machchhar with an axe in an alleged suicide terror attempt.
• Despite suffering serious injuries, the captain managed to open the cockpit door so passengers could enter and restrain the attacker.
• Passenger Yaniv Hayoun previously claimed he subdued the attacker and helped fly the plane using knowledge from the television show Air Crash Investigation.
• Speaking from a hospital in Abu Dhabi, captain Machchhar stated his sole focus was on staying alive and keeping control of the Boeing 737.

IN FULL

Flydubai pilot casts doubt over Israeli plumber’s role during attempted hijacking