Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe, attempted ‘terrorist’ attack, says UAE
UAE authorities have officially classified a mid-air incident on a Flydubai flight as an attempted terrorist attack. The co-pilot, an Omani national, attacked the captain with a crash axe before being subdued by passengers and crew.
Why it matters
The incident highlights critical vulnerabilities in aviation security and the potential for insider threats within commercial airline cockpits.
The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a “terrorist” attack during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said on Saturday (October 3, 2026), according to the state news agency WAM .
The co-pilot was identified as Hammam al-Hammami , an Omani national, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters . UAE authorities did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of his identity.
The co-pilot attacked the pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft, the prosecutor general said.
A crash axe is typically kept in the cockpit for use during emergencies such as crashes.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident, the motives and any related connections, as well as to examine physical and digital evidence, he added.
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