FlyDubai Co-Pilot Allegedly Attacks Captain in Attempted Terror Attack on Israel-Bound Flight

A Flydubai flight carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv plunged 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe. Passengers and crew members rushed forward to overpower the attacker, allowing a reserve pilot to take control and land the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia.

Cockpit Assault and Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia

Flight FZ1073 departed Dubai International Airport on a scheduled route to Ben-Gurion International Airport in Israel. Roughly two and a half hours into the journey while flying over Saudi Arabia, the aircraft broadcast a general emergency code, squawk 7700, before switching to squawk 7500, the designated transponder code for unlawful interference or hijacking.

The aircraft dropped 16,625 feet in a little over 30 seconds, according to Flightradar24 tracking data. Passenger Almog Itali described the sudden descent, stating that the plane started to drop like a rollercoaster with massive G-force before leveling out and dipping again.

During the struggle, the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe, an emergency tool normally stored in the cockpit, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general stated. Captain Smit Machchhar later said he was lying injured on the floor when he realized the aircraft was sinking and made one final push to open the door from the inside. Passenger Hayun then put the attacker in a chokehold and pulled him out of the cockpit while other passengers pinned him down. A reserve flydubai pilot who was traveling as a passenger took over the controls and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

UAE Authorities Identify Co-Pilot as Suspected Terrorist

The UAE’s attorney general, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, announced that investigations conducted by state authorities determined the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act. Media outlets identified the co-pilot as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. The Wall Street Journal reported that al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying by Oman over concerns regarding extremist views and was moved to an administrative role at Oman Air before joining flydubai.

Security agencies in Australia launched an investigation after discovering the suspect spent time in the country as a student. An Australian Federal Police spokesperson confirmed that the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, which includes the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, is probing his connections to the country. Sources told Australian media that al-Hammami was issued a student visa in 2014, studied between 2015 and 2017, and had his visa cancelled in 2019 after he stopped enrolling in courses.

British institution Buckinghamshire New University stated that a student named Hamam al-Hammami completed a distance-learning course in aviation management at the university, though he undertook no pilot training there. Saudi, Emirati, and Israeli authorities are participating in the ongoing investigation.

Lack of Diplomatic Relations Created Security Loophole

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News that Israel and Oman have no formal diplomatic relations, which leaves it unclear how the suspect boarded a Tel Aviv-bound flight and reveals a loophole authorities are now closing.

Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and appeared suicidal.

Investigators Examine Evidence to Establish Full Motives

While UAE prosecutors labeled the incident an attempted terrorist attack, investigators continue examining physical and digital evidence to establish full motives and any related connections.

More on this story: Flydubai Pilot Attempted to Crash Plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv · Flydubai Passengers Foil Mid-Air Cockpit Attack on Tel Aviv Flight