Flydubai Copilot Allegedly Attempted to Hijack Plane, Forced Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
A copilot on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attempted to hijack the aircraft, leading to an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple reports. The aircraft, carrying over 170 passengers and crew, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the crew and passengers subdued the attacker.
The UAE Attorney General’s Office stated that the copilot, who was later transferred to Abu Dhabi, had planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv or a skyscraper in the city, according to [BBC].
Passengers Subdue Attacker to Land Plane Safely
According to [Kompas.id], the plane entered a steep, uncontrolled dive, with one passenger describing the experience as “like a roller coaster.” The captain, Smit Machchhar, was injured when the copilot attacked him with an axe, a detail confirmed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Attorney General’s Office. Passengers then intervened, breaking into the cockpit and subduing the attacker, allowing two backup pilots—also passengers—to take control of the aircraft and land it safely in Saudi Arabia.
An aviation instructor, Alberto Paduanelli, conducted a simulation of the incident and described the maneuver as “a vertical roller coaster,” emphasizing the near-impossibility of surviving such a rapid descent without severe structural damage to the aircraft. The simulation revealed that the plane’s autopilot failed during the dive, causing its speed to increase, and that passengers not wearing seatbelts would have been lifted from their seats, according to [detik.com]. Despite the chaos, the aircraft landed safely, with no casualties reported.
Simulation Shows Plane Dropped 16,000 Feet Rapidly
Meanwhile, [detikInet] provided technical analysis of the flight’s descent, noting that the plane dropped 16,000 feet in 30 seconds—a rate that would have subjected passengers to extreme gravitational forces. An aviation instructor, Alberto Paduanelli, conducted a simulation of the incident and described the maneuver as “a vertical roller coaster,” emphasizing the near-impossibility of surviving such a rapid descent without severe structural damage to the aircraft.
The UAE Attorney General’s Office stated that the copilot had attacked the captain with a standard emergency axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, according to [Kompas.id]. The incident was labeled a “terrorist act” by Israeli authorities, who claimed the copilot had undergone “radical Islamic indoctrination,” according to [BBC]. However, the UAE’s investigation into the copilot’s background suggested he acted as a “lone wolf” rather than as part of an organized group, according to [BBC].
Iran Accuses Israel of Orchestrating the Event
The incident has drawn international scrutiny. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Israel and other regional actors of “carelessly orchestrating” the event to blame Iran or other nations, according to [antaranews.com]. The statement criticized the lack of verification for claims linking the incident to Iran, comparing it to past cases like the U.S. use of Fairford Airbase for attacks on Iran.
Australia is also investigating the copilot’s background. [Kontan TV] reported that the individual, if indeed Hamam al-Hammami, had studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017 but had his student visa revoked in 2019 for failing to enroll in a program. Meanwhile, Oman Air, the copilot’s former employer, has not provided a statement, according to [Kompas.id]. Royal Air Maroc, where the copilot reportedly underwent three months of training in 2025, stated he was rejected for employment but did not explain the reason, according to [Kompas.id].
Authorities Investigate Motive of Unnamed Copilot
While the UAE and Israeli authorities have labeled the incident a terrorist act, the exact motive of the copilot remains unclear. The UAE Attorney General’s Office stated that its investigation is ongoing, with results expected after the probe concludes. [Kompas.id] noted that the copilot, now in UAE custody, has not been officially identified, and no official confirmation has been provided about his alleged radicalization.
Meanwhile, the identity of the two backup pilots who helped land the plane remains undisclosed, despite their critical role in preventing a potential disaster. [Kompas.id] highlighted that their actions were described as “miraculous” given the severity of the situation. The copilot, who was transferred to Abu Dhabi on Thursday, is still under investigation, according to [Kompas.id]. No official statement has been released about the backup pilots’ identities, though their involvement has been described as “critical” by Israeli officials.
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