{
  "id": 11650603,
  "title": "Co-pilot attacked pilot with axe, attempted ‘terrorist attack’: UAE",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/co-pilot-attacked-pilot-with-axe-attempted-terrorist-attack-uae",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T09:25:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/flydubai-co-pilot-attacked-pilot-with-axe-attempted-terrorist-attack-uae/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general revealed on Saturday that the co-pilot of a flydubai flight bound for Israel had attempted a \"terrorist attack\" during the flight. The co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, attacked the pilot with a crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft, according to UAE authorities. The incident, which took place on Wednesday, was averted when passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, allowing the reserve pilot on board to land the plane safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials, who have previously confirmed the co-pilot's identity, said the suspect had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and appeared suicidal. The UAE is leading the investigation, which is ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident, the motives, and any potential connections. Flydubai, owned by Dubai's government, is assisting in the investigation, while the airline stated that the circumstances are still under investigation.",
  "summary": "Flydubai said the circumstances surrounding the incident were still under investigation",
  "key_points": [
    "Co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, Omani national, attacked pilot with axe",
    "Incident averted as passengers subdued co-pilot, plane landed safely",
    "Investigation ongoing by UAE, focusing on motives and potential connections"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/11650603.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Co-pilot attacked Indian captain with crash axe: UAE on flydubai 'terrorist attack'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/co-pilot-attacked-indian-captain-with-crash-axe-uae-on-flydubai",
        "published": "2026-10-03T06:51:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Flydubai co-pilot attempted 'terrorist attack,' UAE says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/flydubai-co-pilot-attempted-terrorist-attack-uae-says",
        "published": "2026-10-03T08:17:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "'Braveheart' flydubai pilot recovering well after cockpit axe attack, Indian embassy in UAE says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/braveheart-flydubai-pilot-recovering-well-after-cockpit-axe-attack",
        "published": "2026-10-03T09:14:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}