The Clash on Board
A flydubai flight crew reportedly demanded the release of a tied-up co-pilot after three Israeli passengers subdued him. This happened Wednesday when the Omani national attacked the Indian pilot with a crash ax. Two of the men who stopped the attack told the New York Post that the crew tried to free the suspect.
Tzvika Manes, a banking executive on the plane, said the crew asked them to untie the terrorist. Manes was traveling with his wife and three young daughters from Japan.
The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, hacked at Captain Smit Machchhar before the captain opened the cockpit door. Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber, and Asaf Rajuan joined Manes in rushing to halt the attacker. Hayoun then stabilized the nosediving plane using skills he learned from a TV show.
After the trio tied the suspect’s hands with zip ties and headphone wires, the crew argued with them. Daniel Schlichter, a real estate professional, said the crew insisted the suspect must be released.
The Israeli men refused to let go of the suspect under any circumstances. The passengers responded that they did not want to kill the man, but they needed him to stop killing them.
The Investigation Unfolds
UAE officials have now called the attack a “terrorist act” for the first time. Anwar Gargash, a senior diplomatic adviser, praised the Indian pilot on X. In his writing, he noted the pilot represented the genuine essence of courage and responsibility throughout the event.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is investigating if the attacker was sent by another group. He stated the attacker had undergone “Islamist radicalization” and came to crash the plane. Netanyahu noted that Yaniv Hayoun and his brave friends averted another 9/11.
Reports show the co-pilot was previously banned by Oman from flying due to radical views. The Wall Street Journal reported that Flydubai hired him anyway. It is still unknown whether Oman communicated its concerns regarding the man to other airlines.
Passengers gave the wounded suspect an oxygen mask while he was restrained. Schlichter explained their logic to the Post. “We wanted him to live so he could be investigated,” he said. The group then ordered the crew to move away from the cockpit area.
Manes said the passengers took control of the situation directly. The crew members were then guided to seats located in the fifth or sixth row.
