Flydubai Crew Asked Passengers to Release Restrained Co-Pilot After Cockpit Attack: Report

Passengers who overpowered an axe-wielding co-pilot accused of attacking the pilot of a flydubai flight reportedly refused repeated requests from cabin crew to release him, raising suspicions about the crew’s intentions, according to a media report.

Two Israeli passengers who helped restrain the co-pilot told the New York Post that cabin crew members repeatedly asked them to untie the attacker during the tense incident aboard flight FZ 1073, which was travelling from Bermuda to Tel Aviv.

“They were asking us to untie the terrorist — we had no idea why,” banking executive Tzvika Manes, one of the passengers who intervened, told the newspaper. Real estate professional Daniel Schlichter, who was seated near the cockpit, said the requests immediately made them suspicious.

The passengers refused to release the co-pilot, identified in the report as Omani national Hamam Al-Hamami, insisting that he remain restrained until he could be handed over to police. Manes said their intention was not to harm him but to prevent further violence. Schlichter said they provided the restrained man with an oxygen mask because they wanted him to survive and face an investigation.

The incident began when Indian captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly attacked by the co-pilot with a crash axe inside the cockpit. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and alert people onboard. Passengers, including off-duty pilots travelling on the flight, intervened and helped regain control of the aircraft.

According to the report, Tali Manes, who was waiting outside a toilet with her daughter, heard unusual noises from the cockpit and urged a backup pilot onboard to investigate. When the cockpit door opened, passengers reportedly saw the co-pilot attacking the captain. Her screams alerted others, prompting several passengers to rush to the flight deck.

Among those who intervened were Yaniv Hayun, who reportedly restrained the co-pilot by choking him, Asaf Rajuan, who helped overpower him, and Tzvika Manes, who used his earphones to tie the co-pilot’s hands. Two off-duty pilots also assisted in controlling the situation.

The cabin crew reportedly instructed passengers to return to their seats and clear the area near the cockpit. However, the Israeli passengers refused, telling crew members that they were now in control of the situation and directing them to sit in the middle section of the aircraft.

A video shared by Israel-based news channel i24NEWS showed the restrained co-pilot kneeling inside the aircraft, with his hands tied behind his back and apparent bloodstains on his clothing. Passengers could be heard repeatedly saying “just police” and “only police”, indicating that they intended to hand him over to law enforcement.

Meanwhile, Shota Musaev, a dentist who was reportedly the only doctor onboard, provided first aid to the seriously injured captain. Musaev later told CNN that Machchhar had suffered extensive injuries and was covered in cuts.

The passengers’ intervention helped avert what the report described as an apparent attempt to bring down the aircraft. The plane was subsequently landed at a small airport in the region.