Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Flydubai Co-Pilot Accused of Trying to Crash Plane
A co-pilot on a Flydubai flight is accused of attacking the pilot with an axe.
The co-pilot reportedly told investigators that he wanted to crash the plane and was not afraid of dying.
The captain managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew then helped intervene.
The plane landed in Saudi Arabia in an emergency.
The co-pilot was later taken back to the UAE for questioning.
Officials in three countries are investigating what happened.
They are also checking whether he had links to people or groups outside the aircraft.
A Saudi official said co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami told investigators he wanted to crash the aircraft and was not afraid to die.
Hammami is accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar with an onboard crash axe and trying to take control of the plane.
The captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene; the flight carried more than 170 people.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, and Hammami was later returned to the UAE for questioning.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel are investigating the incident, including possible links to outside powers.
- Who
- Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami and Captain Smit Machchhar; more than 170 people were aboard.
- What
- Hammami is accused of attacking the captain and trying to take control of the aircraft; a Saudi official said he told investigators he wanted to crash it.
- When
- The article does not specify when the attack occurred; the UAE attorney general's statement was made on Saturday.
- Where
- The incident occurred aboard a Flydubai flight that made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia; Hammami was returned to the UAE for questioning.
- Why
- The motive is under investigation. Authorities are examining possible radicalisation and links to outside powers.
Investigative concerns
What remains unestablished
Possible radicalisation or outside links
Investigative concerns
Investigators are examining whether Hammami began to radicalise during time spent in Syria and whether he had links to outside powers.
What remains unestablished
The article reports these as lines of inquiry, not established findings; no outside connection or specific motive is confirmed.
- Co-pilot
- Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar
- Alleged weapon
- An onboard crash axe
- People aboard
- More than 170
- Emergency landing
- Saudi Arabia
- Investigating countries
- Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel
- UAE attorney general's statement
- He said the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act.