Flydubai co-pilot allegedly tried to crash plane into Ben Gurion Airport
A Flydubai co-pilot is accused of attacking the cockpit with an axe and attempting to steer the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport, prompting a passenger-led subdual and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Investigators say a Flydubai co-pilot attempted to hijack a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight by attacking the pilot with a rescue axe and aiming to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. The pilot, though badly wounded, opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower the assailant. The aircraft descended sharply before a backup crew assumed control and performed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The attacker, reportedly an Omani citizen previously dismissed from an airline in Oman for security concerns, was taken to the United Arab Emirates, where authorities are probing a terrorist motive. Israeli and Emirati officials both describe the episode as a suspected terror plot, while U.S. officials consider possible links to Iran, though no evidence has been presented. The case highlights heightened security scrutiny of airline personnel across the region.
Why it matters
The incident raises global aviation security concerns and underscores the threat of insider attacks on commercial flights.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTBoth camps report the same incident of a Flydubai co-pilot attacking the captain and being subdued, but the left-leaning coverage stresses the alleged crash plot and ongoing investigation, while the right-leaning coverage highlights the pilot’s pre-flight intent, passenger heroism and the subsequent security response.
LEFT
Frames the event as a suspected deliberate crash attempt, emphasizing the co-pilot’s axe attack and the continuing investigation.
RIGHT
Frames the event as a pre-planned hijack by an Omani citizen, stressing passenger intervention, a reserve pilot taking control, and the swift arrest by Saudi authorities.
The left emphasises
- co-pilot allegedly intended to steer the plane into Ben Gurion Airport
- attacked the captain with a rescue axe
- investigations by UAE authorities are ongoing
The right emphasises
- co-pilot’s pre-flight intent to hijack the flight
- passengers and a reserve pilot prevented greater harm
- Saudi authorities seized the attacker and handed him to the UAE
How this story developed
- Sep 30 Netanyahu hails Indian pilot who thwarted alleged flydubai sabotage
- Oct 1 The Saudi interior ministry said its initial probe indicates the co-pilot on the Dubai‑to‑Tel Aviv flight assaulted the captain.
- Oct 2 The suspect was transferred to United Arab Emirates authorities.
- Oct 2 President Trump said investigators are working to determine whether Iran is linked to the co‑pilot.
- Oct 2 A UAE official called the mid-air incident on flydubai flight FZ1073 a terrorist act and praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for safely landing the aircraft after a co-pilot attack.
- Oct 2 Modi praised Machchhar for averting disaster.
- Oct 2 Israeli carriers have formally requested clearance to restart Dubai routes.
- Oct 3 Co‑pilot identified as Hamam al Hamami, an Omani national previously barred by Oman over extremist concerns.
- Oct 3 UAE prosecutors have classified the March incident on Flydubai flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv as a terrorist attack after a co-pilot used an emergency axe against the pilot.
- Oct 3 The weapon used in the attack was identified as a small axe.
- Oct 3 The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
- Oct 3 Specialised investigators are analysing physical and digital evidence to determine the co‑pilot's motives and identify any potential ties to external extremist organisations.
- Oct 5 Al‑Hammami was transferred to UAE authorities for interrogation.
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