UAE says Flydubai co-pilot attempted to hijack Tel Aviv flight
The UAE attorney general says an Omani Flydubai co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe on a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight on September 30, allegedly intending to crash it at Ben Gurion Airport. Investigators say passengers and crew regained control, but the account remains an official allegation.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
Event date: The alleged hijacking attempt occurred on September 30, 2026, while Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling through Saudi airspace. [2]
What happened
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al Shamsi said the suspect allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe stored in the cockpit while flight FZ1073 was travelling through Saudi airspace. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Israel Airport, UAE Sayseconotimes.com · Article published: Oct 9, 2026, 12:17 PM UTC
According to the UAE account, the alleged target was a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, and the plot was inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks. The intended crash was not carried out. [1][2]
References for this detail (2)
- 'Inspired by 9/11': Omani flydubai co-pilot planned to crash jet into Israeli airport, claims UAEtimesofindia.indiatimes.com · Article published: Oct 9, 2026, 5:04 PM UTC
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Israel Airport, UAE Sayseconotimes.com · Article published: Oct 9, 2026, 12:17 PM UTC
The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers, and reporting says the cockpit door was unlocked during the attack so passengers could enter and help wrest back control. [3]
References for this detail (1)
- Investigators say flydubai co-pilot's 'drift towards terrorism' started in Australia - 10-Oct-2026home.nzcity.co.nz · Recorded source date: Oct 10, 2026, 12:17 AM UTC
Investigators said the 29-year-old suspect had taken two previous flights to Tel Aviv to familiarise himself with the route and airport. UAE authorities also examined Flydubai’s recruitment and security screening. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Israel Airport, UAE Sayseconotimes.com · Article published: Oct 9, 2026, 12:17 PM UTC
The UAE investigation said the suspect had shown signs of radicalisation as early as 2017 while studying in Australia. The Australian Federal Police later confirmed it was examining his time there and any possible extremist links. [2][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Israel Airport, UAE Sayseconotimes.com · Article published: Oct 9, 2026, 12:17 PM UTC
- Investigators say flydubai co-pilot's 'drift towards terrorism' started in Australia - 10-Oct-2026home.nzcity.co.nz · Recorded source date: Oct 10, 2026, 12:17 AM UTC
The UAE said the suspect met professional requirements, held a valid pilot’s licence and submitted a certificate of good conduct. Royal Air Maroc separately confirmed he completed three months of training there in 2025 but was rejected for employment. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Israel Airport, UAE Sayseconotimes.com · Article published: Oct 9, 2026, 12:17 PM UTC
Context from the sources
The UAE investigation was launched on October 1, according to reporting on the attorney general’s statement. The findings therefore describe a criminal investigation into the September 30 incident rather than a newly occurring flight disruption. [2]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [2] Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Israel Airport, UAE Sayseconotimes.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 4, detail 5, detail 6
- [1] 'Inspired by 9/11': Omani flydubai co-pilot planned to crash jet into Israeli airport, claims UAEtimesofindia.indiatimes.comReferenced for: detail 2
- [3] Investigators say flydubai co-pilot's 'drift towards terrorism' started in Australia - 10-Oct-2026home.nzcity.co.nzReferenced for: detail 3, detail 5
Questions answered by the reporting
How was control of the aircraft reportedly restored?
A co-pilot identified as Smit Machchhar reportedly unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and regain control. [3]
What this could mean for you
Airlines and regulators may subject cockpit access, crew vetting and route-security procedures to additional scrutiny.
The alleged attack involved a serving co-pilot using cockpit access and an emergency axe during an international passenger flight.
Reported basis: [2][3] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Authorities would need to identify broader screening or access-control weaknesses and introduce measures affecting operations.
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Passengers and aviation staff could face heightened concern about insider threats on international flights.
The alleged plot relied on a crew member’s operational access rather than an external breach of the aircraft.
Reported basis: [1][2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: The investigation or subsequent cases would need to establish that the risk extends beyond this individual incident.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Investigators establish that the alleged plot involved additional participants or wider extremist links.
Authorities identify comparable weaknesses in crew screening or cockpit-access controls.
Pressure eases if…
The investigation confirms the incident was confined to one suspect and publishes effective corrective measures.
Authorities complete the Australian and aviation-security inquiries without identifying a broader network or systemic gap.
Still unclear
The excerpts do not establish the suspect’s current legal status, the full sequence inside the cockpit, or whether any passengers or crew were injured.
The outcome of the Australian Federal Police examination and any Flydubai security changes remain unclear.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
The Omani co-pilot of a Flydubai passenger aircraft planned to seize control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
An Omani flydubai co-pilot allegedly planned to hijack a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash the aircraft into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
Emirati investigators have revealed the pilot who allegedly attempted to hijack a plane from Dubai to Tel Aviv started to "drift towards extremism and terrorism"…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.