Flydubai pilot thwarted co-pilot's hijacking attempt

On October 29, 2026, a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was the target of a hijacking attempt by the co-pilot, 29-year-old Hamam al-Hamami. The captain, Schmidt Matschar, was violently attacked by the co-pilot with an emergency axe inside the cockpit, resulting in a skull fracture. Despite sustaining severe head injuries, Captain Matschar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene and neutralize the attacker.

During the struggle, the aircraft reportedly lost 14,000 feet in altitude in just 29 seconds. The swift actions of the crew and passengers prevented a disaster that some observers characterized as a potential mass-casualty event. For his bravery in safeguarding the flight, Captain Matschar, an Indian national, was awarded the Order of Zayed II (First Class) by UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The captain has since appeared in public displaying the visible scars from the assault, which served as a grim reminder of the close call in the skies.