‘He was openly radicalized’: Aviation veteran on Flydubai attack, security gaps and emergency landing | Exclusive

Flydubai Flight FZ1073 narrowly avoided disaster on 30 September after Omani co-pilot Hamam Al-Hammami allegedly attacked the aircraft’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with an axe in an apparent attempt to take control of the plane.

Aviation commentator and veteran pilot Alastair Rosenschein said the incident raises questions about flight-crew security screening, cockpit security and whether potential warning signs were missed.

Rosenschein, who spent around four decades in the UK aviation industry, told LiveMint in an exclusive interview that the incident should prompt closer scrutiny of how flight crew are screened and monitored.

Quick answers to key questions

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QUESTIONS

The incident was instigated by co-pilot Hamam Al-Hammami, who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft, which was a dramatic escalation of his identified radicalization.

Security screening failures were attributed to inadequate oversight and communication between the aviation authorities of Oman, the UAE, and Israel regarding the co-pilot’s previous radicalism and restrictions on his flying status.

Captain Machchhar displayed immense bravery by unlocking the cockpit door while being attacked, which allowed passengers and crew to intervene, overpower the co-pilot, and stabilize the aircraft.

Airlines should conduct regular psychological assessments and encourage crew members to report concerns about each other's behavior to effectively monitor and ensure the safety of flight crews.

Yes, there should be international information-sharing protocols for individuals flagged for radicalization to prevent them from accessing sensitive positions within the aviation industry and other critical sectors.

Referring to media reports that the co-pilot had previously faced restrictions on flying in Oman over concerns linked to his alleged extremist views, Rosenschein said, “All the signs of this pilot's radicalization were there for the security services to see.”

According to media reports, the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight plunged around 17,400 feet in less than two minutes before control of the aircraft was regained. The aircraft later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Rosenschein, who also served as a Royal Air Force (RAF) Education Officer and commanded the 39F Barnes Squadron from 2006 to 2018, praised Machchhar for his actions following the alleged attack.

“What he did was an act of immense bravery. Whilst he was being attacked with an axe, he managed to unlock the cockpit door. Now, unlocking the cockpit door from the cockpit is fairly straightforward in normal circumstances. But I think it's entirely a different thing when you're fighting for your life, and you're injured.”

He said Machchhar's actions, along with the intervention of passengers, were crucial in preventing the situation from becoming more serious.

“Without his action, there is no doubt this aircraft would have been lost. And without the quick thinking of the Israeli passenger who entered the flight deck, the aircraft would have been lost.”

What happened inside cockpit?

Rosenschein said it was possible, based on the reported sequence of events, that the co-pilot placed the aircraft into a dive. He said the forces generated during such a descent could make movement inside the cockpit extremely difficult.

He also highlighted the reported intervention of a passenger who allegedly entered the cockpit and helped regain control of the aircraft.

“It was a very, very sharp thinking and quick reacting Israeli passenger who entered the flight deck, overpowered the co-pilot and reached forward and pulled the aircraft out of a dive, even though he had never flown an aircraft before.”

What security concerns arise over cockpit equipment?

Rosenschein said the reported use of an emergency crash axe raises questions about how such equipment is secured inside the cockpit.

“The immediate thing to do is to secure the crash axe in a way that one pilot can't get access to it without the other pilot knowing... So, that axe has to be secured in a much better way than it is at present.”

He said the broader issue was the security screening of flight crew. “But the main failing is in doing a proper security check on the flight crew.”

Referring to media reports that the co-pilot had previously faced flying restrictions in Oman over concerns linked to his alleged extremist views, Rosenschein said, “All the signs of this pilot's radicalization were there for the security services to see, and not only for them, but also for his colleagues to see, for his friends to see, for his family to see. He was openly radicalized.”

He added, “Serious questions have to be asked of the security services in the United Arab Emirates, in Amman, and possibly also in Israel.”

What can airlines do to prevent such incidents?

Rosenschein said regular psychological assessment and mechanisms for reporting concerns about crew behaviour could form part of a broader safety framework.

“I don't think there is anything that can be done to prevent them other than proper psychological testing, frequent testing, and their colleagues should report them if they have any concerns over their behaviour or their attitude.”

He said screening should not be limited to pilots. “The psychological testing of cabin crew for exactly the same reasons is just as important because they are allowed entry into the cockpit of an aircraft.”

What does Alistair Rosenschein suggest on information-sharing?

Rosenschein argued that security information involving people working in safety-critical sectors should be shared more effectively across jurisdictions.

“I think there should be international reporting for anybody who's been radicalized. So that somebody like this, a very, very dangerous individual, should not have access to, and it's not just aviation. This applies to the nuclear industry... It applies to all forms of transportation.”

About the Author

Bhanu Pratap is a journalist who reports and writes on foreign affairs, India’s foreign policy, geopolitics and strategic affairs. He closely follows diplomatic developments in New Delhi and has a keen interest in defence and national security.<br> <br> Bhanu also focuses on in-depth, interview-based reports and regularly speaking with experts and policymakers to bring perspectives and context to major developments around the world.<br> <br> He is also interested in stories with strong humanitarian angles.<br><br> One such report examined the cases of Indian nationals who were allegedly recruited and forced into Russia’s war against Ukraine. While reporting the story, Bhanu spoke to the families of those affected and documented their experiences. The report was later taken into account by the United Nations in its findings on human rights violations linked to the war in Ukraine.<br> <br> For Bhanu, the zeal to produce meaningful and impactful journalism remains at the heart of his work.<br> <br>He has previously worked with Firstpost, NDTV, Newslaundry and Republic.<br><br> Bhanu studied at the Delhi School of Journalism, University of Delhi. He initially chose science with plans to pursue engineering, influenced by conventional expectations, but fate had other plans and eventually led him to journalism.<br><br> Beyond the newsroom, Bhanu enjoys exploring culture and history and often spends his days off on heritage walks. He is also passionate about travelling, biking and listening to folk music.<br> <br>For tips, reviews and suggestions, you can reach him at bhanu.pratap@htdigital.in.

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