Omani Co-Pilot Attempted Suicide Attack on Flydubai Flight

An Omani first officer, Hamam al-Hammami, attempted a suicide attack on September 30 while co-piloting Flydubai flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. While in Saudi airspace, al-Hammami attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe, causing the aircraft to plunge 16,000 feet in 30 seconds. Machchhar activated the cockpit door override, allowing the crew and passengers to overpower the suspect. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi stated the plot was inspired by the September 11 attacks and that the suspect used previous flights to familiarize himself with the route. Investigations revealed al-Hammami showed signs of extremism as early as 2017 while studying in Australia. Although he met Flydubai's security requirements, Royal Air Maroc rejected his job application after he completed training there in 2025.

India's National Investigation Agency has since launched a probe under the Anti-hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to investigate a potential larger terror conspiracy. Indian authorities are seeking flight data and voice recorders from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Captain Machchhar for averting a "9/11-type tragedy."