by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:05 AM ET, Mon October 5, 2026
The suspect accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai
flight and attempting to take control of the aircraft allegedly intended to
crash the plane into Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, according to a report from ABC News.
The latest report about the September 30 event comes from
officials in the United States and Israel, and also found that the suspected
attacker and co-pilot, 29-year-old Omani national Hamam Al Hammami, had
previously been suspended as a trainee at Oman Air after being found with
extremist materials in 2024.
Flydubai Flight 1073 was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv
with 174 passengers and eight crew members aboard when the incident occurred.
The aircraft descended dramatically before passengers and crew intervened,
eventually landing safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport
in Tabuk.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said the co-pilot
attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. Machchhar, despite being
injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to rush forward
and subdue the suspect.
Passengers also helped stabilize the aircraft until another qualified pilot aboard
the flight could take control. One passenger, Israeli traveler Yaniv Hayoun,
helped pull back on the controls during the descent, while others restrained
the suspect and assisted the injured captain.
Flydubai temporarily suspended its Tel Aviv operations at
the authorities’ request after the incident. Investigations remain ongoing,
with authorities continuing to examine the suspect’s background, alleged
motive, and how he came to be operating as a first officer on the flight.
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