# UAE co-pilot attacks captain with axe in terrorist act

> UAE co-pilot uses crash axe to attack captain on Israel-bound flight.
- Title: UAE co-pilot attacks captain with axe in terrorist act
- Summary: UAE co-pilot uses crash axe to attack captain on Israel-bound flight. UAE prosecutor says Omani co-pilot tried to carry out terrorist attack on FlyDubai…
- Keywords: flydubai, uae, israel, omana, smit machchhar, co-pilot, crash axe, terrorist act, tel-aviv, passengers, uae president, israeli prime minister
- Source: euronews — https://euronews.com/2026/10/03/uae-says-flydubai-co-pilot-attacked-captain-with-axe-in-terrorist-act
- Author: Peter Barabas
- Published: 2026-10-03T09:27:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: flydubai, uae, israel, omana, smit machchhar, co-pilot, crash axe, terrorist act, tel-aviv, passengers, uae president, israeli prime minister
## UAE prosecutor says co-pilot attempted terrorist attack
UAE prosecutor general said the co-pilot of FlyDubai flight FZ1073 used a crash axe against the captain and attempted to carry out a terrorist attack.

> attempted to carry out a terrorist attack
## Co-pilot banned from flying by Oman
Omani national Hamam al-Hammami was banned from flying by Oman over concerns he held radical ideological views.

> banned from flying by Oman
## Co-pilot hired by UAE airline
Co-pilot was hired by UAE-based airline FlyDubai after working with Oman Air.

> hired by UAE-based airline FlyDubai
## Captain describes cockpit struggle
Captain Smit Machchhar, Indian national, said he unlocked the cockpit door to allow passengers and crew to subdue the co-pilot and stabilize the plane.

> I managed to open the door, and then everyone else came in
## UAE presidential adviser calls captain a hero
UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash called the Indian pilot a hero for embodying courage and responsibility during the terrorist act.

> he embodied the meaning of courage and responsibility
## Regional travel industry in crisis
UAE cancelled all flights to Israel while Israel’s El Al cancelled scheduled flights to the UAE following the incident.

> UAE cancelled all flights to Israel
## Key takeaway

UAE prosecutor says Omani co-pilot tried to carry out terrorist attack on FlyDubai flight to Tel-Aviv with 182 passengers.