(TNND) — A FlyDubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe on an Israel-bound flight, resulting in an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Witnesses reported that the assault occurred on Wednesday, forcing the plane, carrying 182 people, into a steep dive before the captain regained control. The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Hamam al-Hammami, had previously been flagged for extremist material while working as a trainee at Oman Air in 2024, according to multiple sources.
Authorities said al-Hammami attempted to take control of the aircraft, claiming he intended to crash it in Israel. Investigators are examining his motive and any potential connections to terrorist groups but have not confirmed links to any militant organizations.
The United Arab Emirates attorney general classified the incident as a terrorist attack. Following the assault, passengers and crew restrained al-Hammami after the cockpit door was unlocked by the captain.
Australian authorities are investigating al-Hammami's past in Australia, where he held a student visa and attended university from 2015 to 2017. New Zealand police are also looking into his time spent in their country.
The incident raises questions about FlyDubai's vetting process. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the suspect displayed signs of Islamist radicalization and emphasized ongoing investigations into whether he had outside support. FlyDubai has declined to comment further as the investigation proceeds.