Co-pilot attacked Indian captain with crash axe: UAE on flydubai 'terrorist attack'
A FlyDubai co-pilot allegedly attacked his captain with a crash axe during a flight to Tel Aviv, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The UAE has classified the incident as an attempted terrorist attack, noting the co-pilot had a history of extremist concerns.
Why it matters
The incident raises serious questions about airline security vetting processes and the potential for insider threats in aviation.
The co-pilot of a flyDubai flight to Tel Aviv attacked the captain with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft in what the United Arab Emirates has described as a terrorist attack, according to the UAE state news agency.UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot attacked the captain with the crash axe inside the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the aircraft during Wednesday's flight. The incident was described by the UAE as an attempted terrorist attack.The co-pilot has been identified by people familiar with the investigation as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in