United Arab Emirates authorities have formally classified a cockpit assault aboard a Flydubai flight to Israel as an attempted terrorist attack, state media reported Saturday.
UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the co-pilot aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a “terrorist act” during the September 30 flight, according to the state news agency WAM. The statement marks the first time Emirati authorities have officially applied the terrorism designation to the incident.
A source with direct knowledge of the matter identified the suspect as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national. According to investigators, the co-pilot attacked the aircraft’s Indian captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe—an emergency tool routinely kept in flight decks—in an effort to seize control of the plane.
During the altercation, the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing crew members and passengers to intervene and subdue the attacker. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Emirati prosecutors said ongoing investigations are examining physical and digital evidence to establish the full circumstances, motives, and any potential networks associated with the suspect.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu separately stated that the suspect had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination” and attempted to crash the aircraft, warning that any foreign country found to be behind the incident would pay a “very heavy price.”
The UAE’s announcement follows a series of reports regarding the co-pilot’s background and prior scrutiny by aviation and security officials in the region. CNN, citing sources familiar with the investigation, reported that the co-pilot was removed from a role at Oman’s national airline last year due to concerns over extremist views. The Wall Street Journal reported that Omani authorities had previously banned him from flying over radical ideological concerns.
Additionally, broadcaster Al Arabiya reported that Omani authorities had determined the individual held extremist views and noted he had previously spent time in Syria. ABC News reported that senior intelligence and law enforcement officials indicated the suspect was allegedly found in possession of extremist materials during his time as a trainee.
Sources
– [France24 News](https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20261003-co-pilot-on-flydubai-flight-was-banned-from-flying-by-oman-for-holding-extremist-views)
Source: France24 News
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Story synopsis gathered from: France24 News — source
