Flydubai co-pilot attacked Capt Machchhar with axe

On Wednesday, UAE authorities confirmed that a co-pilot aboard a Flydubai flight intended to carry out a terrorist attack during the journey, according to the country's prosecutor general. The attacker was identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. The incident occurred on a flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, carrying over 170 passengers and crew members.

During the flight, the co-pilot attacked the pilot with a crash axe, attempting to seize control of the aircraft. Witnesses on board subdued the suspect, averting a potential disaster. Israeli officials stated that the attack was likely an effort to crash the plane. A reserve Flydubai pilot took control of the aircraft and safely landed it at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was apprehended by Saudi authorities.

Flydubai has stated that the incident is under investigation and that the company is not commenting further at this time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed concern over the possibility of external influence, warning that those involved would face severe consequences. Netanyahu also revealed that the co-pilot had reportedly been subject to radical Islamist indoctrination and exhibited suicidal tendencies, though a specific motive had yet to be determined. The majority of the passengers on board were Israeli nationals.