UAE Attorney General Details Axe Attack and Terror Plot
The United Arab Emirates has confirmed that an Omani co-pilot employed a crash axe to assault the captain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, an incident authorities are characterizing as an attempted terrorist attack. UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated that the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to seize control of the passenger jet bound for Israel to carry out a "terrorist attack." Investigations into flight FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist attack, prompting immediate emergency protocols.
The aircraft, carrying 174 souls on board, diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. According to reports from Visegrád 24, the Omani co-pilot who stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar and tried to crash Flydubai Flight FZ1073 on its way to Tel Aviv has been identified as Hamam Al Hamami.
Flight Data Reveals Violent Descent
Data from Flightradar24 indicates that Flight FZ1073 dropped from 30,875 feet to 16,750 feet between 05:22:07 and 05:22:36, a descent of 14,125 feet in 29 seconds. This rapid altitude loss occurred during the struggle for control of the cockpit.
Images from Tabuk show significant damage to the upper tail of flydubai flight FZ1073 following its emergency landing. Reuters, citing an Israeli official, reported that there was physical damage to the aircraft, corroborating the severity of the confrontation on board.
International Response and Flight Cancellations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that it is becoming increasingly clear after initial interrogations regarding the attacker's motives. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel was investigating whether the co-pilot acted under anyone's direction and warned that anyone involved in the terror plot would pay a "heavy price." Al Shamsi said the investigation is underway to uncover all circumstances, motives, and connections, including completing technical examinations and examining physical and digital evidence.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Flydubai halted all flights on the Israel route shortly after the incident, and Israel's El Al canceled its scheduled flights, stranding some Israelis in the UAE. The disruption highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding the flight path and the security concerns for passengers traveling between the two nations.