Flight FZ1073 Diverted to Saudi Arabia After Cockpit Knife Attack
On September 30, Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel-Aviv dropped 17,400 feet in under two minutes after an assault occurred in the flight deck, according to reporting by lalibre.be. The flight diverted in an emergency to Tabouk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. Passengers and two reserve pilots on board intervened to subdue the co-pilot, preventing a crash. None of the passengers sustained injuries during the incident.
Omani Co-Pilot Hamam Al Hammami Identified in Terrorism Probe
Authorities identified the detained co-pilot as Hamam Al Hammami, a citizen of Oman, according to ledesk.ma. Following the emergency landing, Saudi authorities transferred Al Hammami to the United Arab Emirates, where he faces a terrorism investigation. International outlets report that Al Hammami studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017 after obtaining a student visa in 2014, before working as a pilot in training for Oman Air, where security sources stated he was found in possession of extremist material in 2024. He subsequently completed a short training stint with Royal Air Maroc in 2025 before joining Flydubai.
Training Records Conflict as Al Hammami Targets Tel Aviv Route
Media reports outline contrasting accounts regarding Al Hammami’s employment history across regional carriers. While his professional profile on LinkedIn indicated active commercial service, Royal Air Maroc stated to the Associated Press that Al Hammami completed only a three-month theoretical training program with the Moroccan airline without ever flying, a detail also documented by ledesk.ma. Meanwhile, investigators examining the Flydubai operation determined that Al Hammami specifically targeted the Dubai-to-Tel-Aviv route, observing Tel-Aviv airport during earlier flights and gathering information on possible targets to plan the attack.
Investigation into Radicalization and Social Media Content
Intelligence services in Australia and the United Arab Emirates are examining Al Hammami’s digital footprint and past associations to establish a motive. CNN reported that the pilot shared content on social media prior to the flight, including a post featuring the three holy sites of Islam alongside text rejecting humiliation and the fear of death. Investigators are reviewing whether his travel history and his time in Australia contributed to the radicalization process now central to the ongoing counterterrorism inquiry.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Flydubai Flight Attack
What happened to the injured captain of flight FZ1073?
The captain of the flight, identified as Smit Machchhar of Indian nationality, was stabbed during the cockpit altercation before passengers and reserve crew members intervened to subdue the attacker.
Which airline companies employed Hamam Al Hammami prior to Flydubai?
Al Hammami worked in training capacities or flight roles with Oman Air, where he was flagged for possessing extremist materials in 2024, and completed a three-month theoretical training course with Royal Air Maroc in 2025 before joining Flydubai.
Where is the suspect currently detained?
After the aircraft landed on an emergency diversion in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia, the suspect was transferred to the United Arab Emirates to face a terrorism investigation.
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