UAE says FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe in “terrorist” act

UAE investigators examine FlyDubai cockpit attack on Israel-bound flight

Poinews.com – Authorities in the United Arab Emirates are investigating a violent cockpit incident on a FlyDubai service bound for Tel Aviv after the airline’s co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to seize control of the aircraft.

UAE prosecutor general Hamad Saif al-Shamsi described the episode as an attempted terrorist attack. The incident involved Flight FZ1073, which had 182 people on board and was travelling to Israel when the confrontation unfolded on Wednesday morning.

A crash axe is emergency equipment kept in an aircraft cockpit for use by pilots in exceptional situations. Investigators say the tool was used against the captain during the struggle.

Inquiry focuses on motive and cockpit access

Al-Shamsi said the co-pilot attempted to take command of the plane. The investigation remains under way as officials work to establish the full sequence of events, the suspected motive and any possible links connected to the case.

Technical checks are continuing alongside the review of physical and digital evidence. A key issue for investigators is how the co-pilot was able to be assigned to the cockpit despite earlier concerns raised in Oman.

The suspect has been identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. He was born in the UAE and previously worked for Oman’s national carrier. Officials said he had been removed from flying duties in Oman after concerns emerged that he displayed extremist views, before being transferred to an administrative position at Oman Air.

He was later hired by UAE-based FlyDubai. It was not immediately clear what level of screening was carried out before that appointment. His Instagram account remained active until the day of the flight and was then deleted.

Security agencies in four countries are working to determine the co-pilot’s motivation, with support from the United States and other Western governments. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalization,” though he did not present evidence publicly. Israel’s government made no immediate statement on Saturday.

Captain credited with preventing disaster

The captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, was injured in the attack and later spoke from a hospital bed in Saudi Arabia in an emotional video addressed to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Machchhar said he used the strength he had left to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to enter. They then restrained the co-pilot and helped stabilise the aircraft.

I was fighting for my life.

He described recognising the danger as he lay on the cockpit floor.

When I was lying on the floor I could feel the aircraft was going down. I knew exactly that this would be the last push. I told myself that if I didn’t get up, there would be a problem. I managed to open the door, and then everyone else came in.

Machchhar has been widely praised for his actions in preventing a potentially catastrophic outcome. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the pilot had shown exceptional resolve during a grave emergency.

The Indian pilot at Flydubai, Smit Machchhar, deserves every bit of appreciation, for he embodied the meaning of courage and responsibility in the face of a dangerous terrorist act and a potential disaster. His professionalism and moral sense in the darkest of circumstances make him a true hero.

Gargash also urged restraint as the investigation proceeds.

Far from the easy reduction of what happened or the adoption and promotion of conspiracy theories, vigilance and caution remain essential in confronting the risks of extremism and terrorism.

Regional aviation links disrupted

The attack has unsettled the UAE’s large pilot community and intensified concerns across the regional aviation industry. It has also raised renewed questions over airline recruitment, security vetting and the safeguards intended to protect aircraft when pilots are inside the cockpit.

Commercial aviation relies heavily on trust in flight crews, while also maintaining procedures designed to limit unauthorised cockpit access and respond to in-flight emergencies. The alleged use of emergency cockpit equipment in an attack makes the case especially serious for investigators and airline security specialists.

The case comes as the Middle East remains under strain from the US-Iran war, adding another source of uncertainty for travellers and carriers operating in the region.

In the immediate aftermath, the UAE cancelled all flights to Israel. Israel’s El Al also cancelled its scheduled services to the UAE. The two countries subsequently agreed to operate repatriation flights to return affected passengers.

The incident also highlights a sensitive diplomatic issue. Israel has arrangements with foreign airlines intended to prevent pilots from flying into the country when they are citizens of states without formal diplomatic ties to Israel. Oman and Israel do not maintain formal diplomatic relations.

For passengers affected by the disruption, repatriation services are intended to provide a route home while regular operations remain suspended. For the wider aviation sector, the investigation is likely to be closely watched for answers about employment screening, information-sharing between countries and the security procedures that helped prevent the flight from being lost.