Omani Co-Pilot Attacked Indian Captain With Axe on Flydubai Flight to Tel Aviv
An Omani co-pilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv attacked the Indian captain with a crash axe in an attempted hijacking that UAE authorities have classified as terrorism, before passengers and reserve pilots overpowered him and diverted the plane to Saudi Arabia.
The Cockpit Attack on Flydubai Flight FZ1073
The incident unfolded on September 30 when Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board, went into a sharp descent after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. [2] The jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds amid the fight. [2] On Wednesday a Flydubai flight on the way from Dubai to Tel Aviv was hit by what Emirati authorities describe as a terror attempt, when the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit and tried to hijack the plane. [1] The co-pilot attacked the captain with a fire axe he took on board. [1] He was overpowered by passengers on board, including two reserve pilots who took control of the plane. [1] They landed the plane in Saudi Arabia. [1] The attack on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar by Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami on the Flydubai flight has now brought six countries officially into the fold. [2] The stabbing on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar by Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami on Flydubai flight has now brought six countries officially into the fold. [2] The incident unfolded on September 30 when Flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people on board, went into a sharp descent after the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. [2] The jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds amid the fight. [2] Machchhar, an Indian national, managed to open the cockpit door despite being injured, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. [2] The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely and the alleged attacker was detained. [2]
The Captain's Account and Injuries
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who was attacked by his Omani co-pilot while flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, has been hailed as a hero. [2] Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and enabling two other pilots aboard the aircraft to take control. [2] The plane was then safely landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. [2] Machchhar’s actions drew praise from both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [2] PM Modi called him a “hero” and said his courage helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy and even held a video call with him. [2] Netanyahu also hailed Machchhar for saving the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and also called him while the pilot in recovering in Abu Dhabi hospital. [2] Indian authorities in Saudi Arabia have been assisting Machchhar and his family, while he has been recovering from his injuries. [2] The captain who was attacked, Indian Smit Machchhar, survived the axe attack. [1] He has since told about the incident from the hospital bed at the hospital in the Emirates, where he is admitted. [1] Machchhar spoke on Saturday on the phone with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, writes Times of Israel. [1] – A true hero, says the prime minister about the captain. [1] Machchhar told about the dramatic minutes to Netanyahu. [1] He describes that al-Hammami during the flight asked to pray. [1] Four or five minutes later he went to attack the captain. [1] Machchhar says that he felt a powerful blow to the back of the head. [1] He first thought that something had gone wrong with the plane. [1] – But then the blows continued, one after another, says Machchhar. [1] – It was then that I realized that it was not the plane, but the other guy who was in the cockpit with me. [1] Prosecutor General in the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said on Saturday that the co-pilot used a fire axe when he attacked the captain. [1] At the same time, the Boeing 737 plane began to dive. [1] Flight data reviewed by Reuters shows that the plane fell more than 16,000 feet – about five kilometers – in just over 30 seconds during the most powerful dive. [1] Despite the axe injuries, the captain is said to have managed to get over to the cockpit door. [1] That made it possible for passengers to come in and overpower the co-pilot, writes AP News. [1]
Omani co-pilot attacked Indian captain with axe on Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. — Source: timesofindia
The Co-Pilot's Background and Prior Concerns
The alleged attacker, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, is an Omani national. [2] UAE authorities have described the incident as an attempted “terrorist attack”, saying he attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft. [2] The motive remains under investigation, and Oman has not publicly commented on the case. [2] The biggest question around Oman is al-Hammami’s reported history. [2] People familiar with the investigation told Reuters that he had previously been employed by Oman Air, while other reports said he had been barred from flying because of concerns over extremist views and was moved to an administrative role. [2] He later left Oman Air. [2] Reuters also reported that he underwent three months of training with Royal Air Maroc in 2025 but was not selected for employment. [2] These details have intensified questions over how he subsequently came to work for Flydubai and operate a flight to Israel. [2] The co-pilot has been identified by a number of media as Hamam al-Hammami. [1] He is said to be an Omani citizen. [1] The incident is now being investigated by several countries, including Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. [1] The motive for the attack is so far unknown. [1] Israeli sources inform CNN on Sunday that the co-pilot probably acted alone. [1] The channel also writes that Israeli authorities at present are not aware that al-Hammami had links to any organizations or authorities. [1] According to AP and Wall Street Journal, al-Hammami had been banned from flying in Oman due to concerns that he had developed extremist attitudes. [1] He is said to have started working at Flydubai since January this year. [1] Flydubai is an Emirati airline. [1] They have so far not commented on the case publicly. [1] It is not known whether Oman shared the concerns about the pilot’s extreme attitudes with other countries. [1]
International Links and Investigations
The attack on September 30 was on a flight flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, when it was forced to make an emergency landing after the stabbing of Indian pilot by his Omani co pilot. [2] The incident has since raised questions about security checks for foreign airlines flying into Israel. [2] Netanyahu ordered tighter checks on pilots flying to Israel, while Israeli investigators are expected to participate in the UAE-led probe. [2] The issue has become particularly sensitive because Oman, the co-pilot’s home country, does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. [2] Netanyahu has questioned how an Omani national came to be assigned to an Israel-bound flight. [2] Saudi Arabia became part of the story because the aircraft was flying over Saudi territory when the cockpit attack sent it into a steep descent. [2] After passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, reserve pilots aboard the flight took control and landed the aircraft at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia. [2] Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot there. [2] The country also became an early centre of the investigation. [2] Netanyahu said Saudi authorities would interrogate the co-pilot, while Indian authorities in Saudi Arabia worked with local officials to assist Machchhar and his family. [2] The pilot was subsequently transferred from Saudi Arabia to Abu Dhabi after his medical condition improved. [2] The UAE is central to the case because the flight originated in Dubai and is operated by Flydubai, which is owned by the Dubai government. [2] More importantly, the UAE is leading the investigation into what happened aboard Flight FZ1073. [2] On October 3, UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi officially described the incident as an attempted “terrorist attack”, saying the co-pilot used a cockpit crash axe to attack the captain and tried to take control of the aircraft. [2] The UAE is also facing questions over how al-Hammami was cleared to work as a Flydubai pilot given the reports about his reported employment history. [2] Israeli officials have raised concerns about the security vetting of foreign crew, while the UAE-led investigation is examining the co-pilot’s motives and whether anyone else was involved. [2] Israel is expected to participate in the probe. [2] Australia has entered the picture because co-pilot al-Hammami reportedly studied in Melbourne. [2] Reuters reported that two sources briefed on the investigation said he attended a university there, while local reports identified the institution as RMIT University. [2] Australia is now launching an investigation into the “links to Australia” of Flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami. [2] The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, confirmed that it was examining his links to Australia and if he was radicalised there, as per ABC Australia. [2] "The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (VIC JCTT), comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, can confirm it is investigating the man's links to Australia. An update will be provided at an appropriate time," an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesperson said, referring to the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation. [2] Two sources briefed on the investigation told Reuters that al-Hammami had studied at a university in Melbourne, with local media identifying it as RMIT University. [2] The Financial Times separately also reported that al-Hammami had allegedly visited radical mosques and extremist websites while in Australia, and that Australian intelligence services had held a file on him. [2] Co-pilot accused of trying to hijack Flydubai plane probably acted alone, Israeli sources say. [4] Probe opened on Flydubai co-pilot’s links to extremists in Australia. [5]
Indonesian police arrest 12 suspected terrorists across six provinces. — Source: antaranews
The Descent and Emergency Landing Details
Flight data reviewed by Reuters shows that the plane fell more than 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds during the most powerful dive. [1] The jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds amid the fight. [2] Despite the axe injuries, the captain is said to have managed to get over to the cockpit door. [1] That made it possible for passengers to come in and overpower the co-pilot, writes AP News. [1] Machchhar, an Indian national, managed to open the cockpit door despite being injured, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot. [2] The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely and the alleged attacker was detained. [2] The plane was then safely landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. [2] They landed the plane in Saudi Arabia. [1]
Broader Implications for Aviation Security
The incident has since raised questions about security checks for foreign airlines flying into Israel. [2] Netanyahu ordered tighter checks on pilots flying to Israel, while Israeli investigators are expected to participate in the UAE-led probe. [2] The issue has become particularly sensitive because Oman, the co-pilot’s home country, does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. [2] Netanyahu has questioned how an Omani national came to be assigned to an Israel-bound flight. [2] The UAE is also facing questions over how al-Hammami was cleared to work as a Flydubai pilot given the reports about his reported employment history. [2] Israeli officials have raised concerns about the security vetting of foreign crew, while the UAE-led investigation is examining the co-pilot’s motives and whether anyone else was involved. [2] Israel is expected to participate in the probe. [2] Australia is now launching an investigation into the “links to Australia” of Flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami. [2] The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, confirmed that it was examining his links to Australia and if he was radicalised there, as per ABC Australia. [2]
What to watch next: The UAE-led investigation continues to examine the co-pilot’s motives and whether anyone else was involved, with Israel expected to participate in the probe and Australia examining links to possible radicalization during university studies in Melbourne.
