UAE Labels flydubai Co-Pilot’s Mid-Flight Attack as ‘Terrorist’ Attempt

Hammam al-Hammami Allegedly Attacks Cockpit With Crash Axe on Flight FZ1073

The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general stated that flydubai flight FZ1073 experienced an attempted terrorist attack when co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami assaulted the captain inside the cockpit using a crash axe. The Boeing 737, carrying more than 170 passengers and crew from the UAE to Israel, plunged more than 5,000 metres in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Omani Flying Ban and Prior Employment History Revealed

The co-pilot had been barred from flying in Oman prior to his employment with flydubai, according to US media reports. The Wall Street Journal, CNN and the Associated Press reported that he was removed from an Omani airline last year over concerns. CNN reported that his LinkedIn profile indicated he worked at Oman Air for seven years until February 2025, and subsequently joined Morocco’s Royal Air Maroc from June 2025 to January 2026 before being hired by flydubai. It remained unclear to what extent he was vetted upon hiring in the Emirates.

Captain Smit Machchhar Fights For Life During Steep Descent

Indian captain Smit Machchhar described fighting for his life after sustaining multiple stab wounds inside the cockpit. In a live-broadcast video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Captain Machchhar stated that he knew he had to get back on his feet to save the passengers despite falling down and bleeding. Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar as a true hero for demonstrating extraordinary bravery. Passengers and crew, including Israeli bank executive Tali Manes and passenger Yaniv Hayoun, intervened to subdue the attacker while a reserve flydubai pilot took control of the aircraft and landed safely at Tabuk airport in north-western Saudi Arabia.

UAE Describes Incident as Attempted Terrorist Attack

UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack in statements reported by the state news agency WAM. Israel said on Thursday that the suspect had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination”, while other reports added it was “clear he was suicidal”, though an official motive remained under investigation. Israeli officials confirmed the suspect was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother, while Saudi authorities handed the detained co-pilot over to the UAE to lead the ongoing investigation.

Experts Highlight Challenges of Insider Threats in Aviation

Aviation and security experts reviewing the mid-air emergency highlighted the complex challenges posed by insider threats within commercial aviation. Retired Qantas captain David Evans wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald that modern airtight cockpit security can inadvertently turn the flight deck door into a hindrance during rogue insider incidents. Omni Chief Executive Steven Thorpe noted in Australian reporting that structural safeguards, behavioral analytics, and paired crew-member profiles remain critical tools for mitigating high-risk insider threats across major transport networks.