A co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Israel attempted a terrorist attack using a crash axe, leading to a near-crash and a safe landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident involved a co-pilot identified as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, who attacked the captain and was subdued by passengers and crew.
The co-pilot, barred from flying by Oman due to concerns over radical views, was hired by Flydubai despite the ban. The flight, carrying 170 passengers, dropped over 5,000 meters in 30 seconds before landing safely in Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials say the co-pilot may have undergone Islamist radical indoctrination.
UAE authorities describe the incident as a terrorist attack, with investigations ongoing into the co-pilot's motives and potential connections to extremist groups. The event has raised questions about background checks in aviation hiring and the security of routes between the UAE and Israel.
Oman has not commented on the incident, and it is unclear if concerns about the co-pilot's radicalization were shared with other countries or airlines. The co-pilot's background and potential links to extremist groups remain under investigation.