Overview
- The attack occurred aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Sept. 30 when the co‑pilot allegedly assaulted Captain Smit Machchhar with the cockpit emergency crash axe and tried to seize control of the plane.
- Passengers, crew and two reserve pilots traveling on the flight subdued the attacker, the aircraft plunged thousands of feet during the struggle and a reserve pilot diverted and landed the jet in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia without fatalities.
- Multiple outlets and investigators have identified the suspect as 29‑year‑old Omani national Hamam al‑Hammami, who officials say was removed from flying duties at Oman Air for extremist‑related concerns before later joining Flydubai.
- Israeli and Emirati authorities say interrogation material indicates the suspect planned for months to use an Israel‑bound flight to attack Ben Gurion Airport, and Israeli investigators currently judge a lone‑actor strike most likely while they continue to probe outside links.
- The suspect is in UAE custody as a multinational probe involving the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Australia and U.S. agencies continues and Emirati prosecutors have signaled they will seek the harshest legal penalty while Israel orders a review of foreign‑crew vetting and cockpit safeguards.