Co-pilot on FlyDubai plane 'attacked captain with cockpit's crash axe'

UAE officials say the co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight that nearly crashed last week attacked the captain with the cockpit’s crash axe in what the authorities describe as a “terrorist” incident. The statement, attributed to the UAE attorney general, said the co-pilot also tried to take control of the plane during the Wednesday flight bound for Israel, with 182 people aboard. Passengers and crew intervened, subduing the co-pilot and stabilising the aircraft. Investigators are working to determine whether the Omani national identified by sources as Hamam al-Hammami acted alone or had links to extremist groups. Oman previously barred him from flying; details on vetting by FlyDubai remain unclear.