flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with cockpit crash axe in terrorist attack: UAE

The UAE statement did not disclose a motive for the attack or provide further details about the sequence of events inside the cockpit.

In Short

• The co-pilot attempted to seize control of the aircraft after attacking the captain
• Passengers and crew intervened to overpower the co-pilot during Wednesday’s flight
• The UAE Attorney General’s statement did not disclose the motive behind the attack

The United Arab Emirates on Saturday described the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai, as a 'terrorist attack', accusing the co-pilot, an Omani national identified as Hamam al-Hammami by Al Arabiya of assaulting Indian captain Smit Machchhar with the cockpit’s crash axe and attempting to seize control of the aircraft.

The flight, which was carrying 174 people, was involved in the incident on Wednesday. According to a statement citing the UAE Attorney General, the co-pilot attacked Machchhar before trying to take control of the aircraft.

Passengers and crew members intervened to subdue the co-pilot, helping prevent the confrontation from escalating further. The UAE statement did not disclose a motive for the attack or provide further details about the sequence of events inside the cockpit.

Further details about the co-pilot’s actions and the investigation are awaited.

This is a developing story. It will be updated.

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