Flydubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Axe in Cockpit Attack, UAE Says
Quick answer: The UAE attorney general, Hamad Al Shamsi, said on Saturday, October 3, 2026, that the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 struck the captain with the cockpit crash axe and tried to seize the controls, calling it an attempted terrorist act. The injured captain opened the cockpit door, passengers subdued the attacker, and reserve pilots landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Key Takeaways
UAE prosecutors say the co-pilot used the emergency crash axe kept on the flight deck to attack Capt. Smit Machchhar.
The attorney general described the act as an attempted terrorist act; the motive and any wider links are still under investigation.
More than 170 people were on the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight, which diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The captain, an Indian national, is recovering in Abu Dhabi and was visited on Saturday by Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan.
Flydubai flights to Israel remain suspended while the investigation continues, according to Al Jazeera.
As of 11:45 GMT, October 3, 2026. Investigators in the United Arab Emirates have given their clearest account yet of what happened in the cockpit of Flydubai flight FZ1073. The UAE attorney general, Hamad Al Shamsi, said on Saturday that the co-pilot hit the captain with the aircraft's emergency crash axe and then tried to take over the controls. He classified the incident as an attempted terrorist act, according to the Emirati state news agency WAM, as cited by DW. The Guardian also cited a UAE state news agency.
The statement addresses what the BBC called a key question for investigators: which weapon was used. Early accounts from passengers had suggested a knife, the BBC reported. A crash axe is typically kept in the cockpit for use in emergencies.
What we know
The flight: FZ1073 left Dubai for Tel Aviv on the morning of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, departing at 03:05 GMT according to Flightradar24 data cited by Al Jazeera. More than 170 people were on board, the BBC reported.
The attack: A little over two hours into the journey, the jet dropped sharply. Flight-tracking data reported by Al Jazeera showed a fall of more than 17,000 feet in roughly two minutes. The aircraft first signaled a general emergency (squawk 7700) and then switched to 7500, the code for unlawful interference, the BBC reported.
The turning point: Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is from India, was stabbed and left on the cockpit floor. Despite his injuries, he managed to unlock the cockpit door so that people outside could get in.
The landing: Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot. Two reserve pilots who were traveling on the aircraft then took over and landed safely in Tabuk, in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
The captain's condition: Machchhar was moved from a hospital in Tabuk to Abu Dhabi. The Indian embassy in the UAE said he was in good health and recovering well.
What we don't know yet
The motive. The UAE has not publicly set out why the co-pilot acted or whether anyone else was involved. A Gulf diplomat told AP that investigators want to know whether he was a lone actor or linked to extremist groups.
His identity. Several outlets have published a name citing unnamed officials, but UAE authorities have not officially confirmed who he is.
How he was hired. The Wall Street Journal reported that Oman had previously barred him from flying over concerns about extremist views. It is not clear whether Oman shared those concerns with other countries or airlines, or how closely he was vetted before joining Flydubai.
Official statements
Al Shamsi said investigators are still working to establish the full circumstances, the motive and any connections, and are completing technical checks along with analysis of physical and digital evidence. He said final results will be published once those procedures are finished. UAE courts have jurisdiction because the aircraft is registered in the UAE, according to earlier remarks reported by Al Jazeera.
Anwar Gargash, a senior adviser to the UAE president, wrote on X that the attack shows the region's fight against extremism is not over. On Saturday, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, visited the captain in hospital. The National quoted him as saying Machchhar "embodied the highest degrees of courage, responsibility, and care for human life."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the co-pilot was an Omani national who underwent "Islamist radical indoctrination." The Guardian noted that he did not provide evidence for that claim. Flydubai chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith thanked the crew and passengers and said a full official investigation was under way.
The captain's account
Speaking by video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi from his hospital bed, Machchhar said he realized the aircraft was sinking while he lay injured. He told Modi he has been flying for 17 years. He said he decided to make one final effort to open the door, which let others into the cockpit. Modi praised his courage and quick decisions, and the captain has been widely hailed as a hero on Indian social media, the BBC reported.
What it means for workers and job seekers
Beyond the security investigation, the case has put a spotlight on how airlines screen the people they put in the cockpit. Al Jazeera and DW both reported that the incident has raised concerns about pilot vetting and background checks in aviation hiring. The Guardian reported it was not immediately clear how thoroughly the co-pilot was vetted when Flydubai hired him.
The Wall Street Journal also said it could not be determined whether Oman shared its concerns with other countries or airlines, DW reported. Anyone working in, or applying for, safety-critical aviation roles should watch for the findings of the UAE investigation, which officials say will be released when it is complete.
What happens next
Abu Dhabi is leading the inquiry, and security agencies from several countries are assisting, according to an official quoted by The Guardian. Flydubai flights to Israel remain suspended for now, according to Al Jazeera. Jobsiz will update this story when officials release new confirmed information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on Flydubai flight FZ1073?
On September 30, 2026, the co-pilot of the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight attacked the captain in the cockpit. Passengers and crew overpowered him, and two reserve pilots landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
What weapon did the Flydubai co-pilot use?
The UAE attorney general said on October 3, 2026, that the co-pilot used the aircraft's emergency crash axe, a tool normally kept on the flight deck.
Is the Flydubai incident being treated as terrorism?
Yes. The UAE attorney general described it as an attempted terrorist act. Investigators are still working to establish the motive and whether anyone else was involved.
How is the Flydubai captain doing?
Capt. Smit Machchhar is being treated in Abu Dhabi. The Indian embassy in the UAE said he was in good health and recovering well.
Has the co-pilot been officially named?
No. Some media outlets have published a name citing unnamed officials, but UAE authorities have not officially confirmed his identity.
Are Flydubai flights to Israel operating?
Flydubai flights to Israel remain suspended while the investigation continues, according to Al Jazeera.
Sources
This article was compiled by Jobsiz from the sources listed above, with AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. Published October 3, 2026. We update stories when new verified information becomes available.