FlyDubai Attacker Used ‘Crash Ax,’ a Common Fixture on Many Jets

Live updates

1. 56m ago

   UAE: FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attempted Terrorist Attack

   United Arab Emirates officials state co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami used an onboard crash ax to attack a pilot during an attempted hijack of an Israel-bound flight. UAE prosecutors have labeled the incident a terrorist attack. The suspect, an Omani national who studied at a UK university, was reportedly barred from flying by Oman previously due to extremist views. Passengers and crew intervened to prevent the plane from crashing. Donald Trump has warned Iran of fresh strikes if Tehran is found to be involved in the incident.

   Why it matters

   Crash axes are standard emergency equipment on many aircraft. This event has raised questions regarding security lapses, as sources claim the suspect should not have been cleared to fly to Israel.

   What is confirmed

   • Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami used a crash ax to attack the pilot on a flight bound for Israel.
   • The UAE has characterized the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.
   • The suspect is an Omani national who studied at a university in the UK.
   • Donald Trump warned Iran of fresh strikes if Tehran was involved in the incident.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The suspect lost a previous job for engaging with extremism.

   What to watch next

   • Results of the UAE prosecutor general's probe into the motive.
   • Official confirmation of the suspect's previous flight ban in Oman.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. Fox News — Trump warns Iran of fresh strikes if Tehran involved in FlyDubai plane incident
   2. The New York Times — The Mother’s Scream That Sent Passengers to the Rescue
   3. WSJ — FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attack, Says U.A.E.
   4. Reuters — Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in attempted 'terrorist attack', UAE says
   5. nypost.com — Flydubai co-pilot used crash ax to hack at pilot in attempted ‘terrorist attack’: UAE official
   6. www.theguardian.com — Flydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE | Flydubai plane incident
   7. CNN — Terrorist images found on Flydubai suspect’s social media
   8. The Boston Globe — Who are the mystery men who stepped in to keep the FlyDubai plane from crashing?
   9. The Independent — Flydubai latest: Omani co-pilot accused in ‘terror incident’ studied at UK university
   10. KATU — 'He can be my plumber': Trump hails FlyDubai passenger Yaniv Hayoun as 'hero'
   11. Los Angeles Times — FlyDubai copilot wielded cockpit’s emergency ax in ‘terrorist act,’ officials say
   12. The Washington Post — FlyDubai copilot used crash ax to attempt ‘terrorist act,’ UAE says
   confidence 90%