UAE says flydubai co-pilot attempted 'terrorist act', attacked pilot with emergency axe
UAE officials have formally classified a violent cockpit assault on a Flydubai flight as a terrorist act, following an attempted takeover by the co-pilot using an emergency axe.
- Core Development: UAE officials have formally classified a violent cockpit assault on a Flydubai flight as a terrorist act, following an attempted takeover by the co-pilot using an emergency axe.
- Beat Context: Categorized under World with independent corroboration.
- Reporting Depth: 3 minute analytical read synthesized from verified newsroom sources.
United Arab Emirates authorities formally classified a violent mid-air cockpit confrontation as an attempted terrorist act, confirming that a commercial airline co-pilot used an emergency tool to assault the captain while attempting to seize control of the aircraft, according to official statements released on Saturday.
The incident unfolded aboard a Boeing 737 Max 8 operating a regional route from Dubai International Airport toward Tel Aviv, Israel. UAE Attorney-General and Federal Prosecutor Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, speaking via the state news agency WAM, stated that the co-pilot executed his plan on the flight deck by striking the captain with a crash axe—a standard emergency tool stored in the cockpit to cut through aircraft materials during crises.
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Investigators and regional officials identified the attacker as Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother who held Omani nationality. Sources cited by DW.com and other outlets revealed that al-Hammami had previously been removed from active flying duties by Oman’s national airline over concerns regarding radical ideological views, subsequently being moved to an administrative role at Oman Air before finding employment with Dubai-based FlyDubai. The vetting procedures that allowed him onto sensitive flight decks remain a central inquiry for authorities, given that Israel maintains agreements with foreign carriers restricting pilots from countries without formal diplomatic ties to Israel.
During the assault, the aircraft experienced severe operational distress. Flight-tracking data and official accounts detailed how the jet plunged sharply during the altercation before being stabilized.
| Flight Metric / Detail | Reported Figure |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | FZ1073 |
| Route | Dubai to Tel Aviv (diverted to Tabuk) |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing 737 Max 8 |
| Occupants On Board | Between 170 and 182 passengers and crew |
| Altitude Plunge Estimates | Ranges from approximately 14,000 to 17,000 feet |
The flight was forced into an emergency diversion over Jordanian airspace toward Saudi Arabia, broadcasting emergency signals before making a landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalization and intended to crash the aircraft with passengers on board, warning that any outside accomplices would face severe consequences. Security agencies spanning multiple regional countries, alongside assistance from the United States and other Western governments, are examining physical and digital evidence. This includes suspicious posts appearing on the suspect's LinkedIn and Instagram accounts shortly after the incident, which reportedly featured cockpit videos, references to Israeli airlines, and extremist iconography.
Both the injured captain and the detained co-pilot were subsequently transferred to the UAE, which is spearheading the multi-nation investigation alongside participating countries including Israel. Authorities have emphasized that final technical findings and motive determinations will be publicly released once legal and investigative procedures are fully completed.
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UAE officials have formally classified a violent cockpit assault on a Flydubai flight as a terrorist act, following an attempted takeover by the co-pilot using an emergency axe.
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When was this report published?
This briefing was published on October 3, 2026 and is permanently cataloged in the Newsarchy UK World archives.
