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

UAE opens terrorism investigation after FlyDubai cockpit attack

Usagevpn.com – The United Arab Emirates has described the alleged assault on the captain of a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv as an attempted terrorist act, as investigators examine how the co-pilot came to be operating the aircraft.

UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi said the co-pilot on flight FZ1073 used a cockpit crash axe to attack the captain and tried to seize control of the plane. A crash axe is emergency equipment carried in the cockpit for pilots to use in exceptional situations.

The flight had 182 people on board when the confrontation unfolded on Wednesday morning. Investigators are working to determine the full sequence of events, the suspected attacker’s motivations and any possible links connected to the incident.

“The investigation continues to uncover all the circumstances of the incident, its motives, and related connections, in addition to completing technical examinations and examining physical and digital evidence.”

Questions over co-pilot’s aviation history

The co-pilot has been identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. He was born in the UAE and had previously worked for Oman’s national airline.

Officials said he was removed from flying duties at Oman Air after concerns emerged that he displayed signs of extremist views. He was later assigned to an administrative role. He subsequently joined UAE-based FlyDubai, prompting scrutiny over the vetting process that preceded his employment with the airline.

It remains unclear how extensively his background was reviewed before he was cleared to serve in the cockpit. His social media activity has also drawn attention: his Instagram account remained active until the day of the flight and was then deleted.

That history is central to the inquiry, particularly because Israel has arrangements with foreign airlines intended to prevent pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel from operating flights into the country. Oman and Israel do not have formal diplomatic ties.

Security bodies from four regional countries are examining the suspected motive, with assistance 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 offer evidence publicly. Israel’s government had not issued an immediate further response on Saturday.

Captain credited with preventing disaster

The captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, has been widely praised after passengers and crew helped restrain the co-pilot and stabilise the aircraft. Machchhar was injured in the assault and was later treated in hospital in Saudi Arabia.

In an emotional video message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modhi from his hospital bed on Thursday, Machchhar described using the strength he had left to unlock the cockpit door. That decision enabled other crew members and passengers to enter, overpower the co-pilot and help regain control of the situation.

“I was fighting for my life.”

“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.”

The episode highlighted the importance of cockpit procedures and the response of cabin crew and passengers during an emergency. While the investigation has not yet established every detail of the aircraft’s movements, the captain’s actions were credited with helping avert a potentially catastrophic outcome.

UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash paid tribute to Machchhar, describing his conduct as an example of courage under extraordinary pressure.

“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 authorities pursue the inquiry and assess the wider security implications.

“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 travel disruption follows incident

The attack has shaken the UAE’s large pilot community and created fresh anxiety across the region’s aviation sector. Aviation security relies on several layers of protection, including airline hiring checks, pilot assessments, cockpit safeguards and coordination between governments. The case is expected to intensify attention on how those systems operate when pilots move between airlines and national jurisdictions.

It has also added to unease in a Middle East already affected by the US-Iran war. The UAE cancelled all flights to Israel after the incident, while Israel’s El Al cancelled its scheduled UAE services. The two countries agreed to operate repatriation flights so stranded passengers could return home.

For travellers, the immediate effect is likely to be disrupted schedules and altered travel arrangements between the UAE and Israel. For aviation authorities, the broader challenge will be restoring confidence while investigators establish whether warning signs were missed and whether existing screening practices require changes.

The criminal investigation remains ongoing, with technical inspections and reviews of physical and digital evidence expected to form part of the effort to determine how the alleged attack developed and whether anyone else was involved.