Full Breakdown
Flydubai Flight FZ1073: Foiled Suicide Attack and Aftermath
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 30 2026, Flydubai flight FZ1073 departed Dubai for Tel Aviv in a Boeing 737 MAX 8. While cruising over Jordanian and Saudi airspace, the Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, 29, attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe. The struggle caused the jet to lose roughly 14,000–17,000 feet in under two minutes. Passengers and cabin crew intervened, subduing the assailant. Two reserve pilots regained control and diverted the plane to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. All occupants survived; the captain sustained head injuries.
Background & Context
Flydubai, a government-owned low-cost carrier of the UAE, operates flights to Israel under the Abraham Accords framework that normalized UAE-Israel relations in 2020. UAE attorney-general Hamad Saif al Shamsi said al-Hammami’s radicalisation began in 2017 while studying in Melbourne, where he was exposed to extremist literature. Prosecutors note the co-pilot had previously flown two Flydubai trips to Tel Aviv, which he used to familiarise himself with the route and Ben Gurion Airport.
Data & Statistics
- Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8 (flight FZ1073)
- Passengers reported: 172, 174 (multiple sources), 182 – discrepancy noted
- Crew: 8 members (including captain and co-pilot)
- Altitude loss: 14,000–17,000 feet (?4,300–5,200 m) within ~30 seconds
- Diversion: Tabuk Airport, Saudi Arabia
- Investigation launch: October 1 2026
Official Statements & Responses
UAE attorney-general Hamad Saif al Shamsi described the plot as inspired by the September 11 2001 attacks and intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal.
Flydubai chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith expressed relief that everyone survived, affirmed cooperation with authorities, and announced the suspension of all Flydubai flights to and from Israel until further notice.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog later awarded six passengers the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, emphasizing the need for “clear and satisfactory answers” about the incident.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Passenger count varies across outlets: 172, 174, 182.
- Altitude loss reported as 14,000 ft, 16,000 ft, and “almost 17,000 ft.”
- Identification of the co-pilot: early reports used “unnamed Omani co-pilot,” later statements identified him as Hamam al-Hammami.
Verbatim Quotes
- “However, none of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot,” — Al Shamsi, attorney-general of the UAE
- “When I was on the ground, I realized that the aircraft is going down,” — Capt. Smit Machchhar
- “We recognise that there are many questions at this stage; however, the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation,” — News FlyDubai
- “He said, 'Kill me please, kill me please,'" Musaev said.” — Dr. Shota Musaev
- “ "He came to crash the plane with all passengers on board," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister
What’s Next
Flydubai has halted all services to Israel pending the investigation’s outcome. The UAE is reviewing recruitment and security screening procedures, while Israeli authorities are conducting a review of foreign airline access to Israeli airports. The UAE public prosecution indicated further findings will be released when appropriate, and the investigation into possible accomplices remains open.