Passenger Overpowers Co-pilot in Attempted Terrorist Hijack of Israel-bound Flight
A passenger broke into the cockpit of a Fly-dubai flight to Tel Aviv and subdued a co-pilot who had stabbed the pilot in a suspected jihadist attack.
Around two and a half hours after take-off, the co-pilot attacked the captain with a knife, sparking violence at cruising altitude. A passenger forced his way onto the flight deck and wrested control from the assailant. Israeli officials described the incident as a jihadist terrorist attempt to crash the plane, with the defense minister saying the attacker intended to bring down the aircraft with all aboard. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the passenger’s intervention.
Why it matters
It shows how passenger intervention can thwart a terrorist hijacking attempt, highlighting aviation security challenges.
How this story developed
- Sep 30 Netanyahu hails Indian pilot who thwarted alleged flydubai sabotage
- 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.
- Oct 6 President Trump warned of harsh retaliation against Iran if involvement is proven.
- Oct 6 Interrogations revealed the co‑pilot said his motive was revenge for Gaza and that he had earlier been prohibited from flying due to extremist concerns.
In this story
Related stories
25 in this thread