Mother recounts terror as passengers thwart hijacking aboard Flydubai flight
A passenger on a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv described the terror she felt when the plane plunged during an attempted hijacking, while her four daughters were with her. Lital Hirschl-Shahar said she tried to keep them calm as passengers rushed to help the injured captain and restrain the co-pilot, actions that brought the aircraft back under control.
The article says the co-pilot, identified as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam Al Hammami, attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe and had previously been barred from flying over concerns about his extremist views. The plane reportedly lost 14,000 feet in 29 seconds; 174 passengers were aboard. UAE investigators are leading the inquiry, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invited the captain to Israel.
- A passenger recalls the attempted hijacking with her four daughters aboard.
- Passengers restrained the co-pilot and helped regain control.
- The aircraft lost 14,000 feet in 29 seconds.
New here? Start with this
Flydubai is an airline based in the United Arab Emirates, and Tel Aviv is Israel’s main international air travel hub. A co-pilot shares responsibility for operating an aircraft with the captain, who leads the flight crew.
Pilots train to respond to emergencies, while cabin crew and passengers may also help protect people on board. Investigators examine evidence and interview witnesses to establish what happened and whether safety procedures were followed.
An incident involving a flight between the UAE and Israel can draw attention from authorities in both countries. The inquiry’s findings may help clarify how the crew and passengers responded and whether any changes to aviation safety are needed.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Mother on board Flydubai flight didn’t know which one of her four children to hug first as she relives terror: ‘I told them we were in God’s hands’”.