Flydubai co‑pilot uses axe on captain in attempted terror attack on Israel‑bound flight
On September 30, 2026 a Flydubai Boeing 737 en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to land in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co‑pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe.
UAE Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi described the incident as an “attempted terror attack,” and Emirates officials identified the assailant as Omani national Hammam Al‑hammami, a former senior first officer with Oman Air.
Captain Machchhar, an Indian national, suffered multiple wounds but managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to rush the cabin and subdue the attacker. A plumber named Yaniv Hayun, two off‑duty pilots, and other passengers provided first aid and helped stabilize the aircraft, which landed safely with 174 passengers and eight crew members on board.
"It’s possible that terror cells can exist inside airline companies – overseas, probably a lot easier than here, but it's certainly a possibility," retired Air Force Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson said. "And I think it is something that DOJ needs to take a... really good look at."
Patterson, a former Delta pilot, warned that radicalised individuals could slip through background checks, especially when pilots frequently fly with colleagues they barely know. He highlighted the crash axe, a safety tool normally stored behind the co‑pilot’s seat, as a potential security loophole that could be misused.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox & Friends the co‑pilot appeared to have undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” though officials said days were needed to confirm any links to Iran. The Omani national reportedly entered the flight through a “loophole” in Israeli restrictions that bar pilots from countries without diplomatic ties.
The emergency response by passengers underscored the importance of rapid, coordinated action in crisis situations. Passengers who helped restrain Al‑hammami reported hearing the aircraft descend sharply, dropping about 18,000 feet in roughly twelve minutes before stabilising.
Investigators are examining both terrorist motives and possible mental‑health factors, noting that such attacks raise broader concerns about aviation security across the region. The incident has prompted calls for stricter vetting of airline personnel and a review of cockpit‑access policies.
The aircraft remains grounded for inspection, while the co‑pilot faces terrorism charges in the UAE. Authorities say further updates will follow as the investigation progresses.
