Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in attempted 'terrorist attack', UAE says

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1. 50m ago

   UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Pilot With Axe

   A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the flight captain with a cockpit crash axe and tried to seize control of the aircraft in an incident the United Arab Emirates has classified as an attempted terrorist attack. Flight FZ1073 was bound for Israel when the assault occurred. Passengers intervened after a mother screamed, rushing forward to help subdue the attacker and rescue the crew. Indian pilot Smit Machchhar and the captain managed to thwart the cockpit breach, and leaders from Israel and India subsequently hailed the crew for saving the passengers.

   Why it matters

   The incident brings renewed focus to cockpit security and rogue pilot protocols, particularly concerning the accessibility of crash axes stored inside flight decks. Oman had previously banned the attacker from flying, raising serious questions about regional aviation vetting processes. Investigators are still examining how the suspect planned to execute the operation and whether additional safety measures are needed to prevent cockpit breaches.

   What is confirmed

   • A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the flight captain using the cockpit crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft in what the United Arab Emirates called an attempted terrorist attack.
   • Flydubai flight FZ1073 was bound for Israel when the attack took place.
   • The co-pilot accused of the attack was identified as a 29-year-old Omani national named Hamam Alhamami.
   • Oman had previously banned the Flydubai attacker from flying.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Hamam Alhamami's initial plan was to crash the aircraft into a building in Tel Aviv.

   What to watch next

   • Official findings from aviation safety authorities regarding cockpit crash axe access
   • Further diplomatic disclosures from the UAE, Oman, Israel, and India regarding the suspect's background
   Sources used for this update (11)

   1. The New York Times — The Mother’s Scream That Sent Passengers to the Rescue
   2. WSJ — Oman Had Previously Banned the FlyDubai Attacker From Flying
   3. NBC News — Flydubai pilot attacked captain with cockpit’s crash axe in attempted terrorist attack, UAE says
   4. Reuters — Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in attempted 'terrorist attack', UAE says
   5. Fox News — FlyDubai co-pilot accused of stabbing captain identified as 29-year-old Omani national
   6. www.nbcnews.com — Flydubai pilot attacked captain with cockpit’s crash axe in attempted terrorist attack, UAE official says
   7. www.nktv.in — Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in attempted ‘terrorist attack’, UAE says
   8. www.theweek.in — Flydubai attack: Did Omani co-pilot try to shut off plane engines after plan was foiled?
   9. tribune.com.pk — UAE says flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe - The Express Tribune
   10. www.thenationalnews.com — Co-pilot on flydubai flight 'attempted to carry out terrorist act', UAE's attorney general says | The Nat....
   11. www.brisbanetimes.com.au — Flydubai co-pilot allegedly wielded axe in attempted terrorist attack - Brisbane Times
   confidence 95%