Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Report Says Co-Pilot May Have Tried Shutting Down flydubai Engines
A newspaper reported that a co-pilot attacked the captain on a flydubai plane.
The report says the co-pilot planned to fly to Tel Aviv and crash the plane into a tall building.
The captain was badly hurt but managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers and two off-duty pilots came to help.
The plane dropped very quickly, and a passenger pulled the controls to help stop it from falling further.
Investigators are checking whether the co-pilot tried to turn off the engines, but that has not been confirmed.
The pilots regained control and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The captain went to hospital, and Saudi authorities took custody of the co-pilot.
Officials say the investigation is still under way.
Corriere della Sera alleges Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073.
Citing Israeli intelligence, the newspaper says al-Hammami planned to kill the captain and crash the plane into a Tel Aviv skyscraper; it reports he later tried to crash it in a desert.
The Boeing 737 reportedly lost about 16,000 feet in roughly 30 seconds and exceeded 970 kilometres per hour.
Investigators are reportedly examining whether the engine fuel switches were moved from “Run” to “Cutoff”; the articles do not confirm the engines were shut down.
Passengers and two off-duty pilots intervened, and the plane landed safely at Tabuk; Machchhar was hospitalized and al-Hammami was handed to Saudi authorities.
- Who
- Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, Captain Smit Machchhar, passengers and two off-duty pilots.
- What
- A reported cockpit attack and attempted takeover of a flydubai Boeing 737; investigators are reportedly checking whether the engine fuel switches were moved to cutoff.
- When
- The supplied articles do not definitively state when the incident occurred.
- Where
- A flydubai flight reportedly bound for Tel Aviv; it landed at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Corriere della Sera, citing Israeli intelligence, alleges the co-pilot planned to kill the captain and crash the plane into a Tel Aviv skyscraper.
Reported claims and suspicions
Unconfirmed or under investigation
Whether the engines were shut down
Reported claims and suspicions
Corriere della Sera points to cabin emergency lights and flight data as possible signs of power loss and says the engines may have been shut down.
Unconfirmed or under investigation
The articles say investigators are examining whether the fuel switches were moved to cutoff; they do not establish that the engines were shut down.
Alleged plan and motive
Reported claims and suspicions
The newspaper, citing Israeli intelligence, alleges al-Hammami intended to kill the captain and crash the aircraft into a Tel Aviv skyscraper, then tried to crash it in a desert.
Unconfirmed or under investigation
The alleged plan is attributed to the newspaper's reconstruction and its cited source; the investigation has not released final findings.
Whether others were involved
Reported claims and suspicions
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said investigators were checking whether someone had sent the attacker; a former Shin Bet official said a wider link could only be assessed after final findings.
Unconfirmed or under investigation
US officials briefed on the case told NBC News early indications pointed to a lone attacker, with no signs Iran directed or took part in the attack.
- Flight
- flydubai Flight FZ1073, according to one article.
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737.
- Reported co-pilot
- Hammam al-Hammami, described as Omani.
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar, described as Indian.
- Reported descent
- About 16,000 feet in roughly 30 seconds.
- Engine-switch claim
- Investigators are reportedly examining whether the fuel switches were moved from “Run” to “Cutoff”; engine shutdown has not been confirmed.
- Landing and aftermath
- The aircraft landed safely at Tabuk; Machchhar was hospitalized and al-Hammami was handed to Saudi authorities.
- Investigation
- The articles report that the investigation is ongoing; the official findings have not been released.
Sources
Omani co-pilot may have shut off flydubai plane’s engines after Tel Aviv crash plan failed, says report
Omani co-pilot may have tried to shut down engines after attacking Indian pilot
Omani Co-Pilot May Have Shut Off flydubai Plane's Engines: Report
