Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Flydubai Co-Pilot Studied Aviation Management at UK University
A co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attacked the captain while the plane was flying.
The UAE prosecutor general said the co-pilot used an axe and tried to take control of the aircraft.
Another account says the captain was stabbed.
The captain opened the cockpit door, and passengers and crew helped stop the attack.
The plane lost more than 17,000 feet before the situation was brought under control.
It later diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.
There were 174 people on board.
A UK university said the co-pilot had studied aviation management by distance learning but had not received pilot training there.
Investigators are looking into why it happened and whether anyone else was involved.
Buckinghamshire New University said Hamam al Hammami completed a distance-learning aviation management course there, but received no pilot training from the university.
On Wednesday, October 1, co-pilot al Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The UAE prosecutor general said al Hammami attacked Machchhar with an axe and tried to take control of the aircraft; another account describes Machchhar being stabbed.
Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to intervene; the aircraft lost more than 17,000 feet before the situation was brought under control and it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Reports say Oman had barred al Hammami from flying over concerns about extremist views; investigators are examining his motive and possible outside links, which have not been established.
- Who
- Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al Hammami and Captain Smit Machchhar; 174 people were aboard.
- What
- Al Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar and tried to take control of the aircraft.
- When
- Wednesday, October 1; the year is not specified in the articles.
- Where
- Aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The motive is unknown; investigators are examining it and possible links to extremist groups or outside actors.
Claims of Outside Involvement
Investigation Still Ongoing
Possible extremist or foreign links
Claims of Outside Involvement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said al Hammami had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and investigators were examining whether he was sent. US President Donald Trump said early information suggested possible links to Iran.
Investigation Still Ongoing
The reports say investigators are still determining al Hammami’s motive and whether he acted alone or had links to an extremist group. No outside involvement is established in the articles.
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People aboard
- 174
- University course
- Distance-learning aviation management course at Buckinghamshire New University
- Pilot training
- The university said al Hammami did not undertake pilot training there.
- Reported altitude loss
- More than 17,000 feet
- Diversion
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Emergency signal
- Reported at 1:32 am ET (11:02 am IST)
