The FlyDubai Story Just Got Even CRAZIER!

Summary

The video recounts the reported events aboard FlyDubai flight 1073, a Dubai–Tel Aviv service on September 30, 2026. According to the narration, the four-year-old Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying 180 people, including two FlyDubai pilots travelling off duty.

About two hours into the flight, First Officer Hamam Al Hamami reportedly left his seat to pray, then attacked Captain Smit Mahakar with the cockpit crash axe. The captain fought back and eventually opened the cockpit door. Passengers and cabin crew responded to the commotion, and passenger Yaniv Hayoun and others helped restrain the first officer.

During the struggle, the first officer allegedly disconnected the autopilot and put the aircraft into a steep dive. Flight-tracking data cited in the video suggests the plane descended from roughly 33,200 feet to 16,600 feet in about 50 seconds, with reported descent rates reaching 30,000 feet per minute or more. The narration says the aircraft’s rudder was badly damaged, possibly by extreme control inputs or aerodynamic forces.

The video argues that the aircraft’s recovery was possible through a combination of its handling characteristics and the actions of those on board. Hayoun reportedly pulled the first officer from the cockpit, then helped recover control of the aircraft. Two off-duty FlyDubai pilots subsequently reached the flight deck and took over.

The presenter speculates that the pilots had to deal with a damaged rudder, a disordered cockpit, and possibly both engines being shut down. They may have restarted the engines and used the auxiliary power unit to restore electrical and hydraulic power. However, the video stresses that recorder data was not yet available to confirm the sequence.

The pilots declared an emergency, later set the transponder to the code for hijacking or unlawful interference, diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, and landed safely. Everyone on board survived.

The presenter cautions that many details remain unconfirmed and that some technical explanations are informed speculation. The video also highlights reported gaps in the first officer’s employment screening: Oman Air had reportedly stopped his flight training after finding extremist materials, while a later application to Royal Air Maroc was rejected. The video says investigators should examine how he was able to join FlyDubai and whether stronger, shared airline background checks are needed.

The video’s central focus is the people whose actions helped avert a catastrophe: the captain, who managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries; the passengers and crew, who intervened and cared for him; and the two off-duty pilots, who brought the damaged aircraft to a safe landing.

Presenters and contributors

• Presenter: Petter Hörnfeldt
• Other presenters or contributors in this video: None identified. Tom Scott and Ben are mentioned only in connection with other videos or a podcast.