Omani Co-Pilot Accused of Attempted Attack on Flydubai Flight

An Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, is accused of attempting to carry out a terrorist act by stabbing the captain during Flydubai Flight 1073, which was bound for Israel. The incident occurred on October 3, 2026, and involved a crash ax, typically stored in the cockpit for emergencies. UAE investigators stated that the co-pilot's actions were an attempt to crash the plane. The flight had 182 people on board, including four pilots. After the stabbing, two other pilots took control and landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that al-Hammami had been barred from flying in Oman due to security concerns regarding his ideological views. The Wall Street Journal noted that he had been hired by Flydubai despite this ban. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the co-pilot underwent Islamist radical indoctrination and intended to crash the jet. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities trying to determine if al-Hammami acted alone or had connections to extremist groups. There has been no confirmation on whether Oman communicated its concerns about the co-pilot to other countries or airlines.