UAE: Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Terrorist Attack on Tel Aviv Flight

During a large-scale investigation conducted by the competent authorities of the United Arab Emirates, shocking details of the incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 have been officially confirmed. The co-pilot of the aircraft attempted to commit a terrorist act by launching a brutal attack on the captain and trying to seize control of the airliner en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The UAE Attorney General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, made an official statement on October 3, 2026, confirming that the emergency occurred on September 30 and nearly resulted in a major aviation disaster.

Attack Chronology and Flight Technical Details

According to preliminary data from the official investigation and government reports released via the WAM agency, the co-pilot used an emergency axe to attack the aircraft commander right inside the cockpit. Following this, the attacker attempted to take the yoke under his control and direct the aircraft downwards. Flightradar24 data recorded a frightening technical metric: with 182 passengers on board, the airliner suffered a sharp and dangerous drop of approximately 17,000 feet (over 5,000 meters) in just one minute following the incident. The situation required the immediate mobilization of the crew and passengers.

Attacker's Identity and International Context

Media structures and intelligence agencies of several nations have identified the suspect. He turned out to be Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen born in the UAE to a mixed family (his mother is Syrian). According to American and Arab media citing intelligence sources, al-Hammami previously worked for Oman's national airline but was grounded due to manifestations of extremist ideology and the possession of radical materials. He later underwent retraining and was hired by UAE-based Flydubai. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu noted that the attacker was influenced by radical Islamist ideas and shouted calls for his own death during the incident.

Contradictory Data

A number of contradictory data points requiring verification surrounding the investigation continue to emerge from various sources. While UAE investigators report full cooperation from the detained al-Hammami and his confession of intending to steer the plane towards Israel, political leaders have put forward their own versions regarding an external footprint. U.S. President Donald Trump publicly warned Iran of severe consequences if Tehran's involvement in preparing the attack is confirmed. However, the UAE Public Prosecutor's Office and investigative team as of October 3, 2026, refrained from directly blaming Iran, emphasizing that work on analyzing digital storage and physical evidence is ongoing.

Heroic Crew Actions and Passenger Rescue

A key role in preventing the tragedy was played by the courage and professionalism of the aircraft captain, Indian citizen Smith Machchhar, who has 17 years of experience in civil aviation. Speaking from his hospital bed in a phone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the captain recounted that he lost consciousness due to severe injuries sustained during the attack. Despite this, overcoming the pain and his critical condition, he realized the rapid loss of altitude and managed to unlock the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members who rushed in managed to neutralize the attacker, restore control of the airliner, and successfully land the plane in Saudi Arabia. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority expressed deep gratitude to the heroes for saving lives.