Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national and pilot,was recently honored with the UAE's top bravery award for thwarting a terrorist plot. the incident took place on September 30 during a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai toward an Israeli airport.
The 14,000-foot drop and a compound skull fracture
The flight descended into chaos when co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe. According to the report, the assault left Captain Machchhar with a compound depressed skull fracture, a severe injury that would have incapacitated most. Despite the trauma, Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing other crew members and passengers to enter and assist in regaining control of the aircraft.
The struggle for the cockpit had immediate and terrifying consequences for the aircraft's stability. The plane plummeted 14,000 feet in just 29 seconds as the two men grappled for control . The combined effort of the crew and passengers eventually neutralized Hamam al-Hammami, preventing the aircraft from becoming a weapon of mass casualty.
Hamam al-Hammami's radicalization in Melbourne
Investigations into the perpetrator reveal a long-term drift toward extremism that began years before the attack. As reported, Hamam al-Hammami became acquainted with individuals linked to an Islamic centre while living and studying in Melbourne, Australia. UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif al Shamsi stated that signs of this radicalization first emerged in 2017, driven by the consumption of extremist literature and online content.
The motive behind the attempted crash was rooted in Takfiri ideology, a doctrine used by extremists to justify violence against other Muslims or non-believers. Hamam al-Hammami reportedly drew direct inspiration from the September 11, 2001, attacks, with the goal of crashing Flydubai flight 1073 into a terminal at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport to replicate a similar tragedy.
Netanyahu's readiness to shoot down Flight 1073
The security stakes of the incident were so high that the Israeli government considered the most extreme defensive measures. Benjamin Netanyahu's government stated that they were prepared to shoot down the Flydubai aircraft to prevent what they termed an "Israeli 9/11." Under standard security protocols, rogue flights approaching Israel can be shot out of the sky, though such an order requires the direct authorization of the prime minister.
The decision to shoot down the plane would have resulted in the certain death of every passenger and crew member on board.. The intervention of Captain Smit Machchhar effectively removed the need for this drastic military response, allowing the plane to divert and land safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The First Class Order of Zayed II and the Tabuk landing
Following the safe landing in Tabuk, Captain Smit Machchhar was rushed to a hospital in Saudi Arabia for emergency surgery. His recovery was marked by the visible presence of surgical staples across his skull, which were on display during a recent ceremony where he was awarded the First Class Order of Zayed II. This bravery medal was bestowed upon him by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The recognition extended beyond the captain, as other crew members who helped subdue Hamam al-Hammami also received bravery medals. Captain Machchhar's courage earned him high praise from both the Crown Prince of Dubai, Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who described the pilot as a "true hero."
Who were the Melbourne-based associates of al-Hammami?
While the UAE's Attorney-General Hamad Saif al Shamsi has detailed the timeline of Hamam al-Hammami's radicalization, several critical pieces of information remain missing. Specifically, the report does not name the individuals linked to the Islamic centre in Melbourne or specify which centre was involved. It remains unclear whether these associates were aware of al-Hammami's specific plans for Flight 1073 or if they provided any material support for the plot.
Comments 0