Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE says

UAE prosecutors say the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted a “terrorist” attack during the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv journey. In a statement reported by WAM, the prosecutor general said Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, attacked the captain inside the cockpit with an axe and tried to take control of the Israel-bound aircraft. Investigators are examining the circumstances, motivations, and whether any connections exist. Officials said the flight nearly crashed with 182 people onboard and that Oman had barred the co-pilot from flying over concerns he had adopted extremist views, though it’s unclear how much he was vetted by Flydubai when hired. Israel has agreements with foreign carriers to prevent pilots from flying into Israel if they are citizens of countries without diplomatic ties. The captain, injured, said he unlocked the cockpit door, enabling others to intervene. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia and both crew members were taken to the UAE.