UAE investigators have said a flydubai co-pilot planned a “terrorist act” and attacked the captain with an emergency axe during a flight to Israel this week.
The UAE state news agency WAM reported the initial findings on Saturday, saying the co-pilot tried to seize control of the aircraft after attacking the captain inside the cockpit. However, investigators have not disclosed a possible motive for the incident.
Co-Pilot Remains In UAE Custody
The initial investigation also did not officially confirm the co-pilot’s nationality. However, a Saudi source told AFP that he was Omani, while several media reports identified him as Hamam al-Hammami.
Those reports also claimed that Omani authorities had previously barred him from flying because of concerns over extremist views. However, UAE investigators have not publicly confirmed those reports or provided further details about the allegations.
According to UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the co-pilot remains in custody in the UAE as authorities continue investigating the incident. Officials have not yet announced additional findings regarding his background or alleged motive.
Passengers Helped Subdue Attacker
The incident occurred when the Indian captain was reportedly attacked inside the cockpit during the flydubai flight. The captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the co-pilot.
Passengers described a struggle for control after the aircraft suddenly lost altitude. According to Flightradar24 data, the plane dropped about 17,000 feet within a minute before making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, flights between the UAE and Israel resumed after the incident. Israel’s airport authority said the first flight carrying Israelis home from the UAE landed in Tel Aviv after services were suspended following the attack.
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