Terrorist Attempt Investigation on Flydubai Flight

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the first findings of the investigation into the incident on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which resulted in the plane making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

UAE Attorney General, Undersecretary Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi reported that the investigation revealed that the co-pilot “attempted to commit a terrorist act” during the flight.

According to the statement carried by the UAE's official news agency WAM, the co-pilot put his plan into action during the flight and attacked the captain pilot in the cockpit.

"HE ATTACKED WITH AN EMERGENCY AX"

According to the statement of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the co-pilot attacked the captain pilot using the emergency ax in the cockpit and then tried to seize the controls of the plane.

The UAE Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation is ongoing to reveal all the circumstances of the incident, the reasons behind the attack and possible connections.

It was stated that the examination of material and digital evidence, as well as technical examinations, continued within the scope of the investigation, and the final results will be announced to the public after the procedures are completed.

NEW ALLEGATIONS ABOUT CO-PILOT

Following the incident, new information about the co-pilot's past began to emerge.

According to the British newspaper Metro, the co-pilot suspected of trying to hijack the plane and deliberately crash it is 29-year-old Omani citizen Humam Al Hammami.

According to Metro, Al Hammami studied aviation management via distance education at Buckinghamshire New University in England and graduated in 2023.

The British newspaper also reported that Al Hammami had previously been prevented from working in Oman for security reasons.

US-based ABC News claimed that Al Hammami received training at his country's national airline company in 2024 and was transferred to an administrative position after his extremist thoughts were detected.

The information in question was not among the investigation findings announced by the UAE Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

WHO WAS INFLUENCED BY?

Speaking to Al Arabiya's Washington Office Manager, a source close to the subject also claimed that Al Hammami was influenced by radical ideas during his previous stay in Syria.

According to sources, Omani authorities banned Al Hammami from flying because they considered him to have radical views. It was claimed that Al Hammami then left Oman and went to the United Arab Emirates.

UAE authorities stated that the investigation into the motivation of the attack and the suspect's possible connections is ongoing.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE PLANE?

According to preliminary information, the incident occurred on flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

According to the information provided by Al Arabiya, the plane went into a sudden and severe loss of altitude after the co-pilot attacked the captain pilot.

Two pilots traveling on the aircraft off duty participated in the intervention. The pilots reportedly helped Indian captain Sumit Machar, who was attacked, regain control of the plane.

Passengers and cabin crew also intervened to neutralize the co-pilot.

One of the Flydubai pilots, who was a passenger on the plane, then went into the cockpit and helped control the plane. The plane was landed safely at Tabuk Airport in the northwest of Saudi Arabia.