Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
A Flydubai co-pilot used an emergency crash ax to attack the captain of an Israel-bound flight in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft. The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general and other officials have characterized the incident as a terrorist operation. The flight, carrying over 170 people, diverted to Saudi Arabia after the struggle caused the plane to plunge 17,000ft. UAE officials state the attacker initiated a pre-planned plot during the flight to take over the aircraft flight controls.
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- ✓ A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency crash ax to attempt to take control of the plane.
- ✓ The United Arab Emirates has described the incident as a terrorist operation.
- ✓ The flight was bound for Israel and diverted to Saudi Arabia.
- ✓ The aircraft carried more than 170 people and dropped 17,000ft during the event.
What changed
UAE officials formally classified the attack as a terrorist operation and revealed the use of a crash ax.
Live updates
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UAE Labels Flydubai Cockpit Axe Attack a Terrorist Operation
A Flydubai co-pilot used an emergency crash ax to attack the captain of an Israel-bound flight in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft. The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general and other officials have characterized the incident as a terrorist operation. The flight, carrying over 170 people, diverted to Saudi Arabia after the struggle caused the plane to plunge 17,000ft. UAE officials state the attacker initiated a pre-planned plot during the flight to take over the aircraft flight controls.
Why it matters
The incident involved flight FZ1073 traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. It raises questions regarding aviation security and the vetting process for crew members on high-risk routes. The diversion to Saudi Arabia reflects the immediate emergency response to the cockpit brawl.
What is confirmed
- A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency crash ax to attempt to take control of the plane.
- The United Arab Emirates has described the incident as a terrorist operation.
- The flight was bound for Israel and diverted to Saudi Arabia.
- The aircraft carried more than 170 people and dropped 17,000ft during the event.
Still unconfirmed
- The attacker is named Hamam al-Hammami.
- The co-pilot planned the attack for months before being hired by the airline.
- Security lapses allowed the co-pilot to be cleared for a flight to Israel.
What to watch next
- Official identification and charging of the suspect
- Investigation results into the co-pilot's hiring and vetting process
- Statements from Saudi Arabian authorities regarding the diversion
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (11)
- Reuters — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
- WSJ — FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attack, Says U.A.E.
- BBC — Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
- The Economist — World in Brief: UAE calls plane drama “terrorist act”; Russia says foreigners should leave Ukraine
- NDTV — flydubai Crew Asked To Free Co-Pilot? Passengers Say "Only To Cops" In Video
- www.cbsnews.com — FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into airport, shouldn't have been cleared to fly to Israel, sources say
- www.sanjuandailystar.com — FlyDubai co-pilot used crash ax in ‘terrorist’ cockpit attack, Emirates says
- theaviationhub.co.uk — FlyDubai Co-Pilot Planned Terror Attack Before Joining Airline, Officials Say
- flipboard.com — Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
- www.bbc.co.uk — Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says - BBC News
- www.myjoyonline.com — Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says - MyJoyOnline
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