Overview
- The attack occurred Wednesday on Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co‑pilot allegedly assaulted Captain Smit Machchhar and tried to take control, forcing a rapid descent and an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Captain Machchhar, who was seriously injured, fought to open the cockpit door and, after passengers and crew entered, the attacker was restrained and all 174 people on board survived.
- Reports identify the accused as Omani national Hamam al‑Hammami and say he had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about radical views, prompting questions about how he later worked for Flydubai.
- UAE authorities say a crash axe was used in the assault but note that regulations require such breaching tools to be kept in the flight crew compartment, which explains how the axe was aboard without clearing passenger security.
- Saudi, Emirati, Israeli, US and Omani investigators are coordinating the probe while Flydubai has suspended Dubai–Tel Aviv services and airlines are arranging repatriation flights as governments review pilot vetting and cockpit‑tool access.