Eliran Almog, CEO of an aviation cybersecurity firm and former Israeli helicopter pilot, stated that the safe landing of FlyDubai Flight 1073 was a remarkable outcome given the violent midair attack and severe structural damage. Almog told Fox News Digital that the incident highlights critical gaps in how airlines screen personnel for psychological and political risks.
After an Omani national copilot, identified as 29-year-old Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, the aircraft plummeted more than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds. Almog described the g-forces during the descent as enormous, noting that the aircraft did not break up in the air despite sustaining tail damage. He characterized the subsequent emergency landing in Saudi Arabia as a feat of skill that many commercial pilots might not have been able to replicate.
"Every commercial aircraft is different, requiring different setup, landing procedures and limitations," Almog said. He emphasized that landing an unfamiliar aircraft type under extreme stress requires specialized training. The successful stabilization of the plane was achieved by a second FlyDubai crew that happened to be aboard, after Israeli passengers rushed into the cockpit to subdue al-Hammami. Machchhar, despite serious injuries, had managed to open the cockpit door before the second crew took control.
Almog, who advises airlines on cybersecurity, argued that pilot screening must expand beyond initial hiring to include continuous monitoring. He stated that while technical and cognitive skills are important, airlines must ensure pilots are balanced and resilient in extreme cases. "We make sure that the pilot is balanced and resilient in extreme cases," he said. Almog called on governments and regulators to implement tools that identify when individuals are facing family issues, psychological distress, or developing extreme views.
The incident has drawn international attention, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling Fox & Friends that al-Hammami had been exposed to "Islamist radical indoctrination." President Donald Trump suggested the copilot could have been trained or motivated by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Multiple countries, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, are conducting investigations into the incident.
Almog identified geopolitical risk as the primary concern for airlines today. "If you ask the airlines today what are the main risks that they are looking forward on, it is geopolitical risk," he said. His firm tracks Global Navigation Satellite System and GPS jamming and spoofing activities, which he linked directly to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The CEO also warned that security efforts cannot focus solely on pilots. He noted that over 80% of cybersecurity threats come from insiders, many of whom may not realize they are posing a risk. "It isn't just pilots; it's cabin crew and maintenance personnel," Almog said. He explained that a plane can crash due to incorrect fuel balance or improper maintenance parameters, meaning that psychological screening and background monitoring must expand to every person who impacts flight operations.
Almog praised the resiliency of the passengers and the heroism of Captain Machchhar, describing the outcome as a chain of circumstances that prevented a total disaster. He highlighted the courage of the off-duty Indian pilot who opened the door and the skill of the two other pilots on board who landed the aircraft safely.