UAE prosecutors say an Omani co-pilot on a Flydubai flight attempted a terrorist attack during a flight to Israel. The incident involved a crash axe and a dramatic emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot, identified as Hammam al-Hammami, attacked the pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motives and any connections to extremist groups.
UAE authorities have called the incident a dangerous terrorist act, highlighting concerns over security in aviation recruitment. The flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv has been suspended pending further investigation.
Omani authorities previously banned the co-pilot from flying over concerns about his extremist views, and he was later hired by Flydubai despite concerns about his background.