flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Pilot With Cockpit's Crash Axe In 'Terrorist Attack': UAE

On Wednesday, a Flydubai flight FZ1073 experienced a shocking incident when the Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with an axe. The prosecutor general of the United Arab Emirates confirmed on Saturday that the co-pilot allegedly used the crash axe to take control of the plane en route to Israel.

The UAE and Israel consider the incident a terror attack, while Flydubai labels it an altercation. Passengers and crew intervened to bring the plane under control after the co-pilot caused a sudden dive, and the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The captain sustained serious injuries, and both pilots were taken to the UAE for investigation.

A crash axe is a safety tool designed to help flight crew members free trapped passengers or crew during a crash, as well as shatter reinforced windows if emergency exits are blocked. The co-pilot's background and security checks were scrutinized, as he had been removed from flying duties in Oman due to concerns about extremist views.

He was later assigned administrative work at Oman Air before joining Flydubai. The incident has raised questions about the co-pilot's employment history and security clearance. Security agencies from four countries, including the UAE and the US, are investigating the incident, with assistance from Western allies. UAE officials have described the incident as a dangerous terrorist act, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that the co-pilot may have undergone Islamist radicalization. The co-pilot's Instagram account was deleted after the attack.