Flydubai co-pilot attempted 'terrorist attack,' UAE says
The man, who stabbed his fellow pilot on an Israel-bound Flydubai flight, was reportedly barred from flying in his native Oman over security concerns.
UAE investigators have revealed that a co-pilot aboard Flydubai Flight 1073 attempted to carry out a terrorist attack by stabbing the captain with a crash ax. The incident occurred during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with 182 people on board. The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, is alleged to have adopted radical ideological views, leading to his ban from flying by his home country, Oman.
Despite this ban, Flydubai hired him to fly the sensitive route between the UAE and Israel. Two other pilots on board managed to land the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the attempted crash. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and intended to crash the jet, warning that those involved would face severe consequences.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities attempting to determine if the co-pilot acted alone or had connections to extremist groups.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 2 other outlets
- Co-pilot attacked Indian captain with crash axe: UAE on flydubai 'terrorist attack' timesofindia.indiatimes.com
- Flydubai co-pilot attempted 'terrorist attack,' UAE says dw.com
