Crash axe used in flydubai attack on pilot

Co-pilot involved in mid-flight 'terror' attack had been barred from flyingPosted Sat 3 Oct 2026 at 7:01pmSat 3 Oct 2026 at 7:01pmWitness footage shows passengers panicking when their flydubai plane suddenly loses altitude during a cockpit altercation. (Reuters)In short: The co-pilot who attempted to down a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv has been identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national who had been barred from flying, over possible extremist views.Initial investigations have uncovered the use of a crash axe, a tool typically used in emergencies, in the mid-flight attack. What's next? A joint investigation between Emirati and Israeli officials will scrutinise possible terrorist motivations and whether he had acted under the direction of anyone else.The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a "terrorist" attack during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said on Saturday, according to the state news agency WAM.The co-pilot attacked the pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft, the prosecutor general said.A crash axe is typically kept in the cockpit for use during emergencies such as crashes.Benjamin Netanyahu meets "heroes" who intervened on a flydubai flight bound for Israel. (Rueters via Amos Ben Gershon, Government Press Office)The co-pilot was identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. While Emirati authorities have not publicly identified the co-pilot, Israeli officials have previously said he is an Omani national. Oman has not commented on the incident."Investigations into the incident involving flydubai flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist attack," WAM quoted UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi as saying.The aircraft plunged more than 5,000 metres in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia on its journey from the UAE to Israel. (ABC News)The co-pilot was barred from flying in Oman but was hired by the United Arab Emirates-based airline, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.It was not immediately clear to what extent he was vetted when he was hired in the Emirates.Oman's move to bar the co-pilot from flying was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi's comments were the first by Emirati authorities to describe the incident as an attempted "terrorist" attack.Disaster was averted on Wednesday after passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, who had attacked the captain in what Israeli officials said was an apparent attempt to crash the plane carrying more than 170 passengers and crew.Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun has been hailed a hero after the mid-flight attack. (AP: Tomer Appelbaum)A reserve flydubai pilot travelling on the flight took control of the aircraft and landed it at Tabuk airport in north-western Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was detained by Saudi authorities.An Israeli government official told Reuters earlier that Israeli investigators would take part alongside Emirati authorities in the UAE-led investigation, which would examine what happened as well as the suspect's motives and background.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel was looking into whether the co-pilot had acted under anyone's direction, warning that anyone involved would pay a "heavy price".Earlier this week Mr Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and appeared suicidal, though he said a motive had not yet been established. Most of the passengers on board were Israeli nationals.The aircraft dropped more than 5,000 metres in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia on its journey from the UAE to Israel, according to flight-tracking data from Flightradar24. The route is popular among Israeli travellers.REUTERS/AP