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Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Axe, Called 'Terrorist Act' by UAE Attorney General
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News18•03-10-2026, 12:45
Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Axe, Called 'Terrorist Act' by UAE Attorney General
- •UAE Attorney General confirmed a Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency axe, labeling it a "serious terrorist act."
- •Pilot Smit Machchhar was praised for confronting the attack, which occurred during a flight bound for Israel.
- •The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, was previously barred from flying by Oman due to extremist views.
- •The incident led to a sharp descent of the aircraft, carrying 182 people, with the co-pilot nearly causing a crash.
- •The captain, despite being wounded, unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and stabilize the plane before an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Key Questions Answered
A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a weapon in the cockpit, causing the aircraft to go into a sharp descent before making an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar for his courage, professionalism, and moral sense in confronting the dangerous attack.
The suspect co-pilot was identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, who had previously been barred from flying by Oman over concerns regarding extremist views before being hired by Flydubai.
