Flydubai Co-Pilot Allegedly Used Crash Axe in Terror Attempt, UAE Confirms
UAE confirms Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in terror attempt. Investigations ongoing as Israeli officials join probe.
POLICY WIRE — Dubai, United Arab Emirates — A Flydubai pilot allegedly used a crash axe to assault the captain and attempted to seize control of the aircraft during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to UAE authorities.
The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard flight FZ1073, which carried 174 passengers, mostly Israeli nationals. Crew and passengers managed to subdue the suspect before a crash could occur, as reported by eyewitnesses and Israeli officials.
UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif al Shamsi confirmed that the co-pilot was involved in a terrorist act, stating he used a crash axe to attack the captain inside the cockpit and tried to take control of the plane’s flight systems. The suspected pilot, an Omani national, was transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi earlier this week, though his medical condition remains unclear.
According to sources cited by The Wall Street Journal, the pilot had previously been prohibited from flying due to concerns over radical ideological views. Oman Air has not yet commented on whether the accused individual was employed by them.
Investigations are still underway to determine the full circumstances, motives, and any potential connections to the incident. Israeli investigators have pledged to collaborate with their Emirati counterparts to uncover the details, including the attacker’s background and intentions.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the attacker had undergone Islamist radicalization and aimed to crash the plane with all passengers aboard. He added that the government is investigating whether the individual was sent by others, warning that those responsible would face severe consequences.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian national who was attacked, spoke publicly for the first time from a hospital in Abu Dhabi. He described being severely injured and sensing the plane was descending, but he acted to prevent a disaster by opening the cockpit door and allowing crew and passengers to intervene.
Flydubai issued a statement acknowledging the ongoing investigation and said it could not provide further comments beyond its published statements. The airline emphasized its commitment to supporting the inquiry and cooperating with authorities.
President Donald Trump reportedly suggested that renewed strikes against Iran could follow if the country was linked to the attack, telling reporters, “They know what happened. They’ll be hit very hard.”
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
