UAE authorities have described the mid-air incident on a flydubai flight as an attempted terrorist attack. The co-pilot attacked the pilot with a crash axe in a bid to take control of the aircraft.
Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi confirmed on Saturday that the co-pilot, identified by sources as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, tried to carry out the attack during flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Investigations are continuing to establish the exact circumstances, motives and any possible connections. Physical and digital evidence is being examined.
Disaster was averted on Wednesday after passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot. A reserve flydubai pilot who was travelling as a passenger then took control of the plane and safely landed it at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot upon landing.
The aircraft dropped about 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia, according to flight-tracking data. Most of the more than 170 people on board were Israeli nationals. The route is popular with Israeli travellers.
flydubai stated that the circumstances remain under investigation and declined to comment further. An Israeli official said Israeli investigators would join the UAE-led probe to examine what happened as well as the suspect’s background and motives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was checking whether the co-pilot had acted under anyone’s direction and warned that anyone involved would pay a heavy price. He earlier described the co-pilot as an Omani national who appeared to have undergone radical indoctrination and seemed suicidal, though a clear motive has not yet been established.
The Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, managed to open the cockpit door despite being injured, allowing others to intervene and prevent a catastrophe. The incident has drawn widespread attention to cockpit security and the bravery shown by those on board.
