According to authorities, Flydubai co-pilot planned a terrorist act in the cockpit

The co-pilot of the Flydubai plane planned an “act of terrorism,” according to the Emirates Attorney General’s Office. The authority said on Saturday that he attacked the pilot with a rescue ax in the cockpit on the flight from Dubai to Israel on Wednesday. The co-pilot seriously injured the pilot, but was able to be overcome by passengers, so that the plane later landed safely with more than 170 people on board.

Rescue axes like these – known in technical language as crash axes – are part of the mandatory emergency equipment on aircraft. Among other things, they are used to work your way through panels or other obstacles in an emergency.

The Emirates said the investigation into the incident on the flight was ongoing. Among other things, it should be clarified what motives the co-pilot had and whether there were connections to other people or organizations. In addition, technical investigations and the evaluation of physical and digital evidence would continue. The Israeli government also assumes a terrorist attack.

The co-pilot who injured the pilot of the Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv was previously fired from his previous job at an airline in Oman due to safety concerns, according to US media. ABC News reports, based on senior intelligence and law enforcement officials, that the man was suspended from Oman Air after being deemed a security risk.

According to information from the US broadcaster, the suspected attacker from Oman was found to have extremist material when he was employed by the airline as a co-pilot trainee in 2024. However, he was therefore allowed to continue working there in an administrative role. The US broadcaster CNN has similar information.

The Wall Street Journal also reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the man had previously been banned from flying by Oman. The reason for this was the fear that he had radical ideological views.

According to ABC News, investigators are trying to find out how he was then allowed to fly for Flydubai. The arrested co-pilot, who has now been brought to the Emirates, should therefore cooperate with the investigating authorities. He indicated that he had intended to bring down the Flydubai plane in Israel, the broadcaster quoted sources familiar with the investigation as saying.

The Emirati company's flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday when the co-pilot allegedly attacked his colleague. According to his own statements, he managed to open the cockpit door despite serious injuries. Several passengers forced their way into the cockpit and were able to overpower the attacker.