Story perspectives

Omani Co-Pilot Attacks Flydubai Captain With Axe, Probe Opened

By Drooid · Oct 4, 2026, 10:17 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe on a Flydubai flight to Israel.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 174 aboard safe.
Captain Smit Machchhar survived stabbing and was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for treatment.
UAE prosecutor general called the incident a terrorist attack and opened a probe into motives.

History

Historical Context

Since the 1970s wave of aircraft takeovers, the most notorious was the 5 September 1986 hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 by Abu Nidal militants, which left 20 passengers dead and prompted heightened security concerns. The 2024 Flydubai emergency landing in Tabuk, where Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami stabbed captain Smit Machchhar, mirrors that legacy and reinforces Gulf states’ push for tighter security.

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Story summary

Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe on a Flydubai flight to Israel.
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with all 174 aboard safe.
Captain Smit Machchhar survived stabbing and was airlifted to Abu Dhabi for treatment.
UAE prosecutor general called the incident a terrorist attack and opened a probe into motives.

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