UAE deems Flydubai co-pilot's axe attack on captain a terrorist act
Source: Fox News · All Fox News reports
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Summary
The Fox News segment reports on the September 30, 2026 incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot attacked the captain with a cockpit emergency axe, caused a rapid descent of roughly 17,000 feet, and attempted to seize control in what UAE authorities now classify as a terrorist act. Passengers and crew, including off-duty pilots, overpowered the attacker after the injured captain opened the cockpit door; the plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia with all aboard safe. The captain remains hospitalized in Abu Dhabi and has been hailed as a hero.
Sourcing relies on "people familiar with the matter" for the co-pilot's prior grounding at Oman Air over suspicious activities, AP for identifying him as Hamam al-Hami (born in UAE to Syrian mother and Omani father, obtained Omani citizenship), UAE Attorney General and investigators, and direct quotes from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Islamist radicalization. The segment notes the investigation is examining possible accomplices or foreign links.
Editorial Assessment
The broadcast accurately conveys the core sequence of events and official UAE characterization of the incident as a terrorist act, corroborated by multiple international outlets. Viewers receive a clear picture of the heroism that prevented disaster but may overestimate the certainty around the co-pilot's full background and motives, as the UAE stresses the investigation into circumstances, motives, connections, and evidence is ongoing. Heavy reliance on Israeli statements for the "radicalization" narrative and potential state sponsorship could skew perception toward an organized Islamist plot before full evidence emerges. Omission of precise passenger count discrepancies across reports or any counter-details on vetting failures at Flydubai leaves questions about aviation security unexamined. Overall a timely report that tracks closely with primary statements but leans into the most alarming framing.
Key Moments
Co-pilot previously hired by Oman Air but grounded over suspicion of activities, later given ground job then moved to Flydubai
Corroborated by multiple outlets including WaPo, BBC, Reuters citing people familiar with the matter; he was removed from flight training over radical views and placed in administrative role before resigning.
AP identifies suspect as Hamam al-Hami, born in UAE with Syrian mother, obtained Omani citizenship via father
Widely reported across BBC, ToI, WaPo, Reuters and others as Hamam al-Hammami (spelling variants); no official UAE confirmation yet but consistent sourcing.
Suspect attacked captain with axe normally kept in cockpit for emergencies, then tried to take control in terrorist attack
Directly from UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi statement via WAM, quoted by Reuters, BBC, WaPo and others; crash axe confirmed as the weapon.
Attacker underwent Islamist radicalization and intended to crash the plane; investigating if sent by someone who will pay a high price
Netanyahu's statement on Fox and elsewhere; aligns with some anonymous intelligence sources on prior extremist materials but UAE investigation into motives and links is explicitly ongoing.
Hero captain used last strength to open cockpit door allowing Israelis to help control situation
Captain Smit Machchhar's account and passenger reports confirmed in multiple sources including his call with Netanyahu and Indian officials; he was seriously injured but enabled intervention.
Notable Concerns
- Identity reported via AP and multiple anonymous sources but lacks direct UAE confirmation in early statements
- Radicalization and intent details drawn primarily from Israeli officials and unnamed sources rather than UAE findings
- Limited exploration of how the co-pilot passed Flydubai hiring and security checks despite prior flags
Sources Consulted
- Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
- FlyDubai copilot used crash ax to attempt ‘terrorist act,’ UAE says
- UAE says flydubai copilot used cockpit emergency ax to attack captain in ‘terrorist act'
- Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe, says UAE
- FlyDubai co-pilot used crash axe to attempt terrorist act, UAE says
- Flydubai FZ1073 attacker Hamam al-Hammami, crash axe and 5 big updates
- Netanyahu says flydubai co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination