Flydubai Copilot Planned Suicide Crash on Ben Gurion, UAE Prosecutors Say

Overview

• Investigators say the co-pilot attacked the commander with a rescue axe on September 30, tried to seize the aircraft, and was subdued by a relief pilot, cabin crew and several passengers before the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
• The UAE prosecutor says the 29-year-old had begun a premeditated plot to crash the jet into the Ben Gurion passenger terminal and told investigators he was inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks.
• Prosecutors report the suspect was influenced by takfiri ideology beginning around 2017 while studying in Australia and has told authorities he acted alone, though officials are still investigating possible accomplices.
• Records show he flew to Tel Aviv twice before the attack to familiarise himself with the route and airport, and he joined Flydubai in January 2026 after working for other carriers.
• UAE authorities say he met Flydubai hiring and security checks, which did not flag extremist views, and investigators are now reviewing prior operational bans, cross-border vetting and airline controls with potential consequences for staffing and security procedures.