Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe in attempted terrorist attack, UAE says

The co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, attacked the pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft, according to Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi. The incident occurred on Wednesday.

Disaster was averted after passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, who had attacked the captain in what Israeli officials said was an apparent attempt to crash the plane carrying more than 170 passengers and crew. A reserve flydubai pilot travelling on the flight took control of the aircraft and landed it at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was detained. He was later transferred to Abu Dhabi.

Emirati authorities are leading the investigation into the incident, with Israeli investigators expected to participate. The UAE prosecutor general's comments were the first by Emirati investigators to describe the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. A senior adviser to the UAE president stated on X that the country has zero tolerance for terrorism.

Flydubai said the circumstances were still under investigation and declined further comment. The airline is owned by Dubai's government.