Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar has recounted the terrifying moments when his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a crash axe, leaving him with serious injuries and fighting to stay conscious.
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Machchhar said he was struck on the head while his co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, was praying. He recalls losing consciousness several times and described the impact as strong.
“I realised I have to do something. You can’t die like this. I can’t accept my death,” Machchhar said, describing his determination to survive.
Despite blurred vision and severe injuries to his head, neck and hands, the captain struggled to regain control of the situation. He recalled hearing passengers scream and realising that he had one final opportunity to act.
The incident triggered an emergency response involving cabin crew, passengers and off-duty pilots, who helped restrain the attacker.
The aircraft was diverted and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 180 people on board were evacuated safely, with no deaths reported.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have been looking into the incident as a potential hijacking. Machchhar described his survival as a miracle and expressed gratitude for those who intervened during the ordeal.