[INTERNATIONAL] · United Arab Emirates, Israel, Oman, Australia, Saudi Arabia · 100 sources

started 14 days ago · updated 11 days ago

Part of situation: Flydubai hijacking investigation and Israeli flight crew ban (21 clusters)

Flydubai co-pilot attacks captain in attempted terrorist attack

Flydubai cockpit attack Hamam al-Hammami terrorist attack attempt aviation security breach emergency landing Saudi Arabia

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have classified an incident on Flydubai flight FZ1073 as a terrorist attack. During the flight from Dubai to Israel, the co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, with an emergency axe in the cockpit.

The attack caused the aircraft to lose significant altitude rapidly. The situation was neutralized after the captain managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter the cockpit and subdue the attacker. A reserve pilot subsequently took control, performing an emergency landing at an airport in Saudi Arabia.

Investigations are ongoing across multiple jurisdictions. Australian authorities, including the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, are examining al-Hammami’s links to Australia, where he reportedly studied at RMIT University in Melbourne. Reports suggest he may have visited radical mosques and extremist websites during his time there. Additionally, the incident has raised questions regarding aviation security protocols and how an individual with suspected extremist views was permitted to fly on this route.

Entities

Benjamin Netanyahu · Flydubai · Hamad Saif Al Shamsi · Hamam Al Hammami · Hamam Al-Hammami · Hammam Al-Hammami · Israel · Oman Air · Smit Machchhar · Smit Machhar · Tabuk Airport · United Arab Emirates

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 12 SOURCES] The Flydubai Boeing 737 flight carried 182 people, including 174 passengers and eight crew members. www.maalaimalar.com · www.singtaousa.com · en.tempo.co
[● 5 SOURCES] The suspect was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates for a terrorism investigation.
[● 12 SOURCES] Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit to restrain the attacker after the captain was injured. en.tempo.co
[● 24 SOURCES] The 29-year-old Omani co-pilot involved in the Flydubai incident is Hamam al-Hammami. www.maalaimalar.com · www.singtaousa.com · en.tempo.co
[● 28 SOURCES] Al-Hammami was previously barred from flying by Oman Air due to concerns regarding extremist views and radical ideology. www.maalaimalar.com · www.singtaousa.com
[● 36 SOURCES] The aircraft performed an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. aviation.direct · www.europesays.com · ch23.com · elviajero.com.do · www.maalaimalar.com · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] The United Arab Emirates suspended all commercial flights to Israel following the incident.
[● 8 SOURCES] The suspect stated to investigators that his intention was to crash the aircraft over Israel.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The co-pilot was taken into custody by Saudi authorities and later transferred to the UAE for investigation.
[● 4 SOURCES] Both pilots sustained injuries during the incident.
[● 4 SOURCES] The co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machar during Flydubai flight FZ1073.
[○ 1 SOURCE] The incident was an attempted jihadist terrorist attack.