FlyDubai Co-Pilot Tried to Crash Plane into Israeli Airport, Captain Disarmed Him

A FlyDubai co-pilot attempted to crash a plane into an Israeli airport, according to reports, with the captain overcoming a violent attack to save 174 passengers and six crew members. The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, told investigators he had considered such an attack before his current job and aimed to crash the aircraft at Tel Aviv airport. Captain Smit Machchhar described to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu how the co-pilot requested to pray, then struck him with an emergency axe, causing a steep descent. Machchhar, who lost nearly all vision during the struggle, managed to open the cockpit door with a sharp turn of the handle, allowing passengers to overpower the attacker. Netanyahu called him a hero and invited him to light a ceremonial flame at Israel's next Independence Day, an honor usually reserved for citizens.