Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in attempted ‘terrorist attack,’ UAE says | 3 Oct 2026 | The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, which was bound for Israel, attempted ​to carry out a “terrorist attack” with an axe during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general said on Saturday. The co-pilot was identified as ‌Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. A second source briefed on the investigation confirmed the co-pilot’s name. UAE authorities did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation of his identity. Disaster was averted on Wednesday after passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot, who had attacked the captain in what Israeli officials said was an apparent attempt to crash the plane ​carrying more than 170 passengers and crew.