Archived

UAE says Flydubai co-pilot attempted terrorist attack on captain

The United Arab Emirates says a Flydubai co-pilot attempted a terrorist attack on a Tel Aviv-bound flight, attacking the captain with an axe or knife and causing the plane to plunge more than 17,000ft before passengers and crew overpowered him. The co-pilot has reportedly been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national who was reportedly barred from flying in Oman over security concerns and is said to hold extremist views.

Coverage from 7 publishers 13 source reports
BBCDWAl JazeeraSkyNYT +2
Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says BBC News – World
Update summary

What changed in this update

The flydubai plane plunged more than 17,000ft two and a half hours into its journey before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker.

Event intelligence

FlyDubai cockpit attack and emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia

9 connected story threads

A FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after its Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe in the cockpit; passengers and crew overpowered the attacker and the plane landed safely. UAE prosecutors have called the incident an attempted suicide terrorist attack and identified the co-pilot as Hammam al-Hammami, saying he planned to crash into Ben Gurion Airport's passenger terminal and admitted acting alone; they have also alleged he

Grounded in 8 reports across 7 sources

UAE prosecutors now say the FlyDubai co-pilot planned a suicide attack on Ben Gurion Airport's passenger terminal, identified him as Hammam al-Hammami, and said he admitted acting alone.

In this event Melbourne Islamic leader silent on centre’s alleged Flydubai hijacker links in Facebook video Earlier coverage Flydubai co-pilot planned suicide attack on Israeli airport, UAE prosecutors say Earlier coverage FlyDubai co-pilot planned to crash aircraft into Tel Aviv airport Earlier coverage Flydubai pilot recounts cockpit stabbing in call with Indian PM Modi Earlier coverage Netanyahu warns ‘very heavy price’ if any power behind flydubai incident Earlier coverage FlyDubai 'hero' pilot speaks for first time Earlier coverage 'Hero' pilot stabbed by other pilot on Israel-bound plane, Israeli PM says Earlier coverage Live Updates: Clash in Cockpit Prompts Distress Signal on Israel-Bound Flight Earlier coverage
Source coverage

Source reports

Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official saysBBC News – World
BBC

Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says

The flydubai plane plunged more than 17,000ft two and a half hours into its journey before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker.

World
Al Jazeera

Jerusalem Daily: UAE says Flydubai co-pilot attempted ‘terrorist’ attack

Jerusalem Daily: UAE says Flydubai co-pilot attempted ‘terrorist’ attack

World
Al Jazeera

What we know about the co-pilot accused in Flydubai attack

Omani Co-Pilot on FlyDubai Flight Is Said to Have Extremist ViewsNYTimes – World
NYT

Omani Co-Pilot on FlyDubai Flight Is Said to Have Extremist Views

It was unclear what background checks had been carried out before he was allowed to fly to Israel.

World
Euronews

UAE says FlyDubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe in “terrorist” act

The FlyDubai co-pilot who nearly crashed the Tel-Aviv bound flight is an Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami. He was barred from flying by Oman amid concerns he showed signs of extremist views. The incident threw the already hard-hit regional travel industry into crisis.

World
Al Jazeera

Who is the mystery co-pilot behind the Flydubai attack?

FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in ‘Terrorist’ Cockpit Attack, Emirates SaysNYTimes – World
NYT

FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in ‘Terrorist’ Cockpit Attack, Emirates Says

The violent midair assault on a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv has deepened concerns about the safety of Israelis traveling abroad.

World
DW

Flydubai co-pilot attempted 'terrorist attack,' UAE says

The man, who stabbed his fellow pilot on an Israel-bound Flydubai flight, was reportedly barred from flying in his native Oman over security concerns.

World
Guardian

Flydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE

Attorney general says ‘terrorist attack’ was attempted by suspect who is said to have been barred from flying by Oman because of extremist views The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 used a crash axe to attempt to carry out a “terrorist attack” during the flight, the United ⁠Arab Emirates prosecutor general said on Saturday, according to a state news agency. The UAE statement cited the prosecutor general as saying…

World
Al Jazeera

Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in ‘terrorist act’: UAE

Probe ⁠under way to ​determine 'all the ⁠circumstances', including motive, UAE's prosecutor general says.

Flydubai co-pilot 'attacked pilot with axe in suspected terrorist attack', UAE saysSky News – World
Sky

Flydubai co-pilot 'attacked pilot with axe in suspected terrorist attack', UAE says

The flydubai co-pilot tried to carry out a terrorist attack during a Tel Aviv-bound flight that nearly crashed, the United Arab Emirates has said.

World
DW

Omani co-pilot on Flydubai attempted 'terrorist' act — UAE

The man who stabbed his fellow pilot, the captain of the Israel-bound Flydubai flight, was also reportedly barred from flying in his native Oman over security concerns, according to a US media report.

World
DW

Co-pilot on Flydubai flight was banned from flying by Oman

The man who stabbed his fellow pilot, the captain of the Israel-bound Flydubai flight, was reportedly barred from flying in his native Oman over security concerns.

More news

Also in the news

Israel orders army to prepare to fully close West Bank after 'thwarting terror attack'Sky News – World
World Updating

Israel orders West Bank lockdown after deadly Hebron attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a "full lockdown" of the occupied West Bank after a Friday morning attack near Hebron in which two Israeli soldiers and two suspected Palestinian gunmen were killed, the military said. At least five people were injured, some critically. Netanyahu also warned of an imminent large-scale military operation and vowed to displace some Hebron residents, while Israel ordered home demolitions following the soldiers' deaths.

12 references
France 24DWSkyNPRAl Jazeera +3
Melania Trump brokers truce for Ukraine city 'on brink of disaster', White House saysBBC News – World
World Updating

White House says Melania Trump brokered Ukraine city ceasefire

The White House says First Lady Melania Trump brokered a localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Russian-occupied Oleshky, Ukraine, to allow humanitarian aid and civilian evacuations. Ukraine and Russia confirmed the truce, according to the BBC, though an earlier Al Jazeera report noted no confirmation from either side. The agreement is due to take effect on 29 October, Euronews reported. Residents have faced severe food shortages and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

6 references
BBCGuardianPBSEuronewsAl Jazeera +1
Discovery

See what’s emerging. See what’s changing.

Explore stories gaining momentum and continuing events with new developments.