The UAE Attorney-General said on October 3, 2026, that the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted a terrorist act by attacking the captain with a crash axe and trying to take control of the aircraft. The investigation was still under way, including inquiries into motive, possible links and physical and digital evidence; the UAE has not announced final results.
What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?
On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when, according to the UAE Attorney-General, the co-pilot attacked the captain in the flight deck with a crash axe and tried to seize control of the aircraft. The plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Contemporaneous reporting says the captain opened the cockpit door and passengers, together with a reserve or other pilot, helped subdue the co-pilot and stabilize the aircraft. The National published an account attributed to Captain Smit Machchhar, who told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “In that moment I was fighting for my life.” That account is media reporting, distinct from the Attorney-General’s summary of the official investigation. The National’s report
Did the UAE say the co-pilot attempted a terrorist act?
Yes. On October 3, UAE Attorney-General Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi described the incident as an attempted terrorist act and said the co-pilot had begun carrying out a plan during the flight. This is the UAE’s characterization of the investigative finding announced so far, not a final legal judgment or a complete account of motive.
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The Attorney-General said investigators were still examining the full circumstances, motive, possible links, and physical and digital evidence. The official WAM statement said: “The final results will be announced upon the conclusion of all necessary procedures.” WAM’s announcement
Where did the Flydubai plane land?
FZ1073 made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the flight-deck attack, according to incident reporting. The flight had departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. The National’s incident report
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Who was the co-pilot, and what is confirmed about his motive?
The UAE Attorney-General’s announcement did not name the co-pilot or establish a motive. The Associated Press reported that three people familiar with the situation, speaking anonymously, identified him as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. AP also reported claims that he had previously faced a flying restriction in Oman over concerns about extremist views. Those details are attributed to anonymous sources and are not findings stated in the UAE announcement; the investigation had not concluded. They do not establish an ideology, organizational link or motive. Associated Press report on the suspect
Why reports differ on how many people were aboard
Published accounts do not give a consistent passenger-and-crew total. The Associated Press reported 182 people aboard, while The National reported 172 passengers and crew. The figures may use different categories, and the available accounts do not reconcile them, so neither should be treated as a confirmed total.
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What the incident raises about aviation security
AP’s October 2 analysis said the attack prompted questions about crew vetting, flight-deck access and the handling of distress calls. These are questions raised in coverage, not conclusions about what failed on FZ1073. Former Israeli national security adviser Eyal Hulata said, “Until this event, the possibility of a threat originating from a pilot or crew member was not considered a likely scenario.” Aviation security expert Menachem Bachrach cautioned, “Before we’re jumping to tighten security, I would just say it’s likely that somebody didn’t follow the protocols.” Neither quoted expert was presenting a finding from the UAE investigation. Associated Press aviation-security analysis
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