Omani Co-Pilot Attempts to Crash FlyDubai Flight to Israel
An Omani co-pilot stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash a FlyDubai flight, but was subdued by passengers and crew before landing in Saudi Arabia.
A FlyDubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv narrowly avoided a catastrophe on September 30, 2026, after an Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, attacked and stabbed the aircraft's captain. The struggle caused the plane to plummet from 34,000 feet to approximately 15,000 feet in under two minutes, resulting in structural damage to the rudder and tail. Despite sustaining serious injuries, Smit Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to storm the flight deck and overpower the assailant. Two off-duty pilots then stabilized the aircraft and performed an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United Arab Emirates government characterized the event as a terrorist attack, stating al-Hammami had undergone radical Islamist indoctrination. While some officials suggested potential Iranian links, others described the attacker as a suicidal lone wolf. The incident sparked a political dispute in Israel over security failures, as Oman does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel, yet al-Hammami was cleared to fly the route. The Shin Bet and the Ministry of Transport are currently reviewing vetting protocols.
Captain Machchhar was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for medical treatment and has been praised as a hero by leaders in India, Israel, and the United States. President Isaac Herzog recommended the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for several passengers, including Yaniv Hayoun, who helped subdue the attacker. FlyDubai temporarily suspended all flights to and from Israel pending the investigation, while the UAE and Israel coordinated the repatriation of stranded passengers.
