Second pilot tried to steer Flydubai 737 into Tel Aviv airport building
A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a knife on a flight to Tel Aviv and allegedly planned to crash the aircraft into Ben-Gurion Airport.
Israeli investigators say an Omani co-pilot on a Flydubai service to Tel Aviv brandished a knife and assaulted the captain, claiming he would keep the aircraft airborne until clearance to land was obtained and then steer it into a building at Ben-Gurion International Airport. The pilot allegedly scouted the airport in June and planned the strike for July, but aborted when he saw a familiar airport employee. The flight, numbered FZ1073, departed the United Arab Emirates with 174 people aboard, including 27 children, and transmitted an emergency signal about two hours after take-off.
The aircraft lost altitude rapidly near the Jordanian border, prompting a forced descent that culminated in a safe landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, without passenger injuries. Authorities in the UAE have classified the incident as a terrorist act and are seeking the harshest penalty for the co-pilot. Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the captain’s actions as heroic.
Why it matters
It reveals a rare in-flight terrorist plot that could have caused massive casualties and highlights aviation security gaps.
How this story developed
- Sep 30 Netanyahu hails Indian pilot who thwarted alleged flydubai sabotage
- Oct 1 A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to land in Saudi Arabia after the Omani co-pilot assaulted the captain in the cockpit.
- 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 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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