UAE Says FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Cockpit Crash Ax in October 2 Attack, Was Previously Banned by Oman Air Over Extremist Views

On October 2, 2026, the co-pilot of FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv used the cockpit's crash ax to attack the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said on October 3, according to The Washington Post, NBC News, and The Wall Street Journal. The alleged attacker was identified by multiple sources as 28-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. Crash axes are carried on commercial aircraft for emergencies such as fighting fires or cutting through metal, and UAE aviation regulations require one to be stored onboard, according to the Journal via Yahoo Finance. Captain Smit Machchhar was injured during the attack, and the aircraft came close to crashing before passengers and crew members overpowered al-Hammami. The flight made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Hammami had previously been banned from flying by Oman Air because of concerns about extremist views, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to the Journal and other outlets. It was not immediately clear whether FlyDubai, which hired al-Hammami after he left Oman Air, was aware of the concerns about radical views.

FlyDubai suspended its Dubai-Tel Aviv service following the attack. Israel has said it has agreements with foreign carriers to keep pilots of nations without diplomatic ties from flying there, and Israel and Oman don't have formal diplomatic relations. UAE authorities are continuing to investigate possible links and are examining physical and digital evidence.

Sources

The Washington Post, "FlyDubai copilot used crash ax to attack captain, UAE says," October 3, 2026, washingtonpost.com NBC News, "Flydubai pilot attacked captain with cockpit's crash ax in attempted terrorist attack, UAE official says," October 3, 2026, nbcnews.com The Wall Street Journal via Yahoo Finance, "FlyDubai attacker used crash ax in cockpit attack, UAE says," October 3, 2026, yahoo.com The Washington Times, "Ax-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns," October 3, 2026, washingtontimes.com