Flydubai Co-Pilot Allegedly Wielded Axe in Attempted Terrorist Attack

October 3, 2026

The co-pilot of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, prompting UAE authorities to classify the incident as an attempted terrorist attack.

The dramatic incident occurred on September 30, when the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying 182 people, including 174 passengers and eight crew members.

Passengers and crew intervened after the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The UAE is leading the investigation, with Israeli authorities and security agencies from other countries also examining the incident.

Flydubai Co-Pilot Identified as Hammam al-Hammami

The co-pilot has been identified by multiple media reports as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.

UAE authorities have not publicly released all details of the suspect’s background, but sources cited by Reuters and other international media say al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying in Oman amid concerns over alleged extremist views.

The allegations have raised questions about how he was subsequently able to work for a UAE-based airline and operate an international route to Israel.

Investigators are examining his employment history, background, possible motives and whether anyone else was involved.

Crash Axe Used During Cockpit Attack

According to the UAE prosecutor general, the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.

The crash axe is normally an emergency tool kept inside an aircraft cockpit.

The confrontation caused the aircraft to enter a sharp descent while it was flying over Saudi Arabia. Flight-tracking data indicated that the aircraft lost thousands of metres of altitude in a matter of seconds before control was restored.

Passengers and crew managed to overpower the co-pilot, preventing what officials described as a potentially catastrophic outcome.

Passengers Helped Prevent a Disaster

The aircraft was stabilized after the cockpit confrontation, with reserve pilots also helping operate the aircraft.

The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Saudi authorities said the aircraft arrived with 174 passengers and eight crew members. The captain and co-pilot were taken for medical treatment before leaving Saudi Arabia for Abu Dhabi with a UAE security team.

The passengers later continued their journey on another Flydubai aircraft.

The actions of passengers and crew have since been widely praised for helping prevent a much more serious aviation disaster.

UAE Leads the Flydubai Investigation

The UAE Attorney General described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack following an initial investigation.

Authorities are now examining the suspect’s background and trying to establish the motive behind the cockpit attack.

Israeli investigators are expected to participate in the wider investigation because the flight was bound for Tel Aviv and most passengers were Israeli nationals.

Investigators are also looking into whether the co-pilot acted alone or received instructions or assistance from another person or organization.

Questions Over the Co-Pilot’s Aviation Background

The incident has raised serious questions about the co-pilot’s previous aviation career.

Sources have told international media that Oman had previously barred him from flying over concerns about extremist views.

Reports also indicate that he had worked or trained with other aviation companies before joining Flydubai.

Royal Air Maroc said he completed a three-month training program with the airline in 2025 but that his subsequent application for employment was rejected.

The investigation is examining whether information about his previous employment and background was properly assessed before he was hired.

Co-Pilot’s Time in Australia Under Investigation

Authorities are also examining al-Hammami’s previous time in Australia.

Australian authorities are investigating the period he reportedly spent in the country, where he had been enrolled at RMIT University in Melbourne.

The Guardian reported that Australian police and intelligence agencies are examining his activities and background during his time there.

His educational and employment history has become an important part of the international investigation as authorities attempt to establish whether there were earlier warning signs.

Security Questions After Flydubai Attack

The incident has triggered fresh questions about aviation security and the screening of airline crew.

Particular attention is being paid to how an Omani national who had reportedly faced restrictions on flying in Oman was able to operate a flight to Israel.

Israel and Oman do not have diplomatic relations, adding another layer to questions surrounding crew screening and aviation security.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a review of security procedures for incoming foreign flights following the incident.

Investigators are expected to examine the sharing of crew information between airlines, airports and security agencies.

Flydubai Flights to Israel Under Scrutiny

The incident has also affected aviation between Dubai and Tel Aviv.

The Flydubai route has come under renewed security scrutiny following the cockpit attack, with authorities examining procedures for flights connecting the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

The investigation could lead to additional screening measures for international flight crews and changes to security procedures on sensitive routes.

What Happens Next?

The UAE-led investigation will focus on the co-pilot’s motive, his previous aviation history and whether he had any outside assistance.

Authorities are also examining possible security failures that may have allowed him to operate an Israel-bound flight despite concerns reportedly raised about his background.

The investigation remains ongoing, and some claims about the suspect’s ideology, past activities and motives have not yet been independently established.

For now, the key fact is that passengers and crew aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 helped prevent a potentially catastrophic incident after the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to take control of the aircraft.