Overview
- The co‑pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an emergency axe mid‑flight on Wednesday, seriously wounding him and forcing a struggle for control of the cockpit.
- Passengers and a pilot traveling as a passenger rushed the cockpit, subdued the 29‑year‑old suspect, and another pilot ultimately landed the plane after diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- The suspect, identified as Hamam al‑Hammami, is detained and being questioned in the United Arab Emirates and has reportedly told investigators he planned to continue the flight and crash into Ben Gurion Airport.
- Captain Smit Machchhar was flown to the UAE for treatment and received a public hospital visit from Dubai’s crown prince; many of the 180 passengers were Israeli and all survived.
- The case has raised cross‑border legal and security questions because the aircraft diverted to Saudi airspace, the suspect is held in the UAE, and Israeli authorities are coordinating with regional investigators.