Key facts
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 plunged 16,000 feet in 30 seconds after the co-pilot attacked the captain.
- UAE prosecutors called the incident a "terrorist attack."
- The co-pilot was identified as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.
- Passengers subdued the co-pilot, and a reserve crew landed the plane safely.
- The aircraft's autopilot disconnected before the plunge, causing rapid acceleration.
Flydubai flight FZ1073 experienced a severe 16,000-foot plunge in approximately 30 seconds after the co-pilot attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe, an incident the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general has labeled a "terrorist attack." The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, landed safely after passengers overpowered the co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, and a reserve crew onboard took control to land the plane.
An aviation instructor, Alberto Paduanelli, owner of ALPA Simulation, described the descent as feeling like a "vertical roller coaster" and noted the significant negative g-force passengers would have experienced. He explained that the aircraft's autopilot had disconnected before the plunge, leading to rapid acceleration.
US President Donald Trump commented on the incident, praising the Boeing 737 MAX 8 for its structural integrity and ability to withstand extreme forces. Aircraft are designed to endure substantial aerodynamic loads, but Paduanelli cautioned that prolonged high-speed dives can place extreme strain on an airframe.
Investigations into Hammam al-Hammami's background are ongoing. Royal Air Maroc confirmed he underwent a three-month training with them in 2025 but was not hired afterward. Buckinghamshire New University stated he completed a distance-learning course in aviation management, not pilot training. The Australian Federal Police are also investigating his links to Australia, with a source indicating he studied in Melbourne.