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

Overview of the In-Flight Incident

United Arab Emirates authorities have officially classified an in-flight altercation aboard a commercial airliner as an attempted terrorist attack. Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi announced that investigations into the event confirmed the co-pilot attempted to sabotage the aircraft and seize control.

The incident took place aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30, 2026. The flight was operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel, carrying more than 170 passengers and crew members.

Cockpit Assault and Technical Specifics

According to UAE prosecutors, the co-pilot initiated his plan while the Boeing 737 was in mid-air. He attacked the captain inside the flight deck using a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.

Under international aviation regulations, commercial passenger aircraft are required to carry a crash axe inside the cockpit for emergency use, such as situations arising from an aircraft crash. Such equipment was relocated from the main passenger cabin to the cockpit following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States amid heightened security measures.

Flight Detail	Specification
Flight Number	FZ1073
Route	Dubai to Tel Aviv, Israel
Aircraft Type	Boeing 737
Cruising Altitude	Approximately 34,000 feet
Emergency Descent Rate	Roughly 23,000 feet per minute
Lowest Reached Altitude	About 15,600 feet
Emergency Landing Location	Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

During the struggle, Captain Smit Machchhar fought the co-pilot and resisted him while the aircraft experienced a rapid descent. The captain managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew members to intervene and overpower the attacker. Two other pilots who were on the flight assisted in the emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Israeli officials initially described the event as an apparent attempt to crash the plane, while the UAE's formal categorization as a terrorist attack is a notable update from investigators.

Suspect Background and Investigation

Sources with direct knowledge of the matter, alongside reports from outlets such as CNN, identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Neither Emirati authorities nor flydubai publicly named the co-pilot, and Oman has not commented on the incident.

Al Hamami had worked for flydubai for approximately eight months. His employment history included stints with Oman Air, which he left in February 2025, and Royal Air Maroc, where he worked from June 2025 until January of the following year. Media reports indicated he had been barred from flying in Oman over concerns regarding extremist views, and that he spent time in Syria where he was allegedly influenced by extremist ideas.

Investigations revealed that a now-deleted LinkedIn profile belonging to Al Hamami published terror-related posts within hours of the incident. The posts included cockpit footage zooming in on an El Al aircraft, an image of former al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, and a photograph of Humam Khalil al-Balawi, who perpetrated a 2009 suicide bombing targeting US personnel. Another post featured an AI-generated image of holy sites in Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem accompanied by a poem about rejecting humiliation and defending dignity. Separate CNN reporting also noted an X account associated with him that portrayed him as deeply religious and misogynistic, with a former colleague describing him as an extremist.

Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi established a specialized investigation team from the Public Prosecution to examine the circumstances, causes, and any potential connections to broader terrorist networks.

Official Reactions and Policy Stance

Senior Emirati officials emphasized a strict stance against extremism following the disclosures. Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, posted on X that the region's struggle with extremism remains active.

"The region's struggle with extremism continues, and justifying terrorism through hate speech is part of the danger, not something peripheral to it. The latest terrorist attack is another warning that the confrontation is not over."

Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, via X

Gargash reiterated that security begins with addressing hatred at its source and noted the country's policy of zero tolerance toward extremism and extremist rhetoric. State-owned flydubai stated that the circumstances remain under investigation and that it was not in a position to comment further. The UAE government also expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabian authorities for their cooperation and handling of the emergency landing.

Next Steps

The UAE Public Prosecution's specialized investigation team continues to examine the co-pilot's background, motives, and any potential links to extremist groups. Prosecutor General Al Shamsi indicated that comprehensive findings and the final results of the investigation will be publicly released once all necessary legal and administrative procedures are completed.