Full Breakdown
Attempted Suicide Attack on Flydubai Flight 1073 and Its Aftermath
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
On September 30 a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX operating Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was hijacked by its Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami. While cruising over Saudi airspace he attacked captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency crash axe, causing the aircraft to plunge roughly 16,000 ft in about 30 seconds. Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, opened the cockpit door, and two off-duty pilots assumed control, landing safely at Tabuk Airport.
Background & Context
The UAE public prosecutor opened an investigation on October 1. Prosecutors say al-Hammami’s radicalisation began in 2017 while studying in Australia. He previously worked for Oman Air, completed three months of training with Royal Air Maroc in 2025, and joined Flydubai in January 2026. He used two earlier Dubai-Tel Aviv flights to familiarise himself with the route.
Timeline
- Sept 29 – Flight 1073 departs Dubai.
- Sept 30 – Co-pilot attacks captain; passengers intervene; plane lands in Tabuk.
- Oct 1 – UAE criminal investigation opened.
- Oct 5 – Israeli authorities state no other crew members were involved.
- Oct 9 – UAE Attorney General Hamad Sae f al-Shamsi releases findings.
Data & Statistics
- Passengers: 174 (Calcalist, Times of Israel); 182 total occupants including crew.
- Crew: eight crew members; two additional pilots travelled as passengers and later landed the aircraft.
- Legal action: about 100 passengers have signed powers of attorney for a class-action suit seeking “hundreds of millions of dollars.”
- Proposed compensation per passenger: $200,000–$250,000, roughly $43.5 million at the lower estimate.
Official Statements & Responses
The suspect confessed to acting alone, though the probe into possible accomplices continues. Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked Captain Machchhar in a personal letter, praising his “strength of character” and “great valor.” Israel’s Transportation Ministry announced a review of security procedures for foreign crews. Flydubai declined immediate comment.
On-the-Ground Reports
Passengers Yaniv Hayun and Asaf Rajuan described the sudden plunge and the cabin fight. Hayun helped pull the yoke to stabilise the aircraft; Rajuan later alleged suspicious behaviour by two flight attendants, including a possible attempt to loosen zip-ties used to bind the attacker.
Criticism & Opposition
Rajuan, who helped subdue the attacker, requested investigators examine the attendants’ conduct, citing “strapping” behaviour and an alleged offer of an unidentified pill to the wounded captain. He also questioned why the two off-duty pilots who landed the plane have not appeared publicly. Israeli officials maintain that no other crew members were involved.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Passenger count varies between 174 and 182.
- Compensation estimates differ, with some reports citing $200,000–$250,000 per passenger, others mentioning “hundreds of millions” without a precise figure.
- Crew involvement: Rajuan’s allegations contrast with UAE and Israeli statements that the crew were not complicit.
Why It Matters / Impact
The attack tests the security framework of the Abraham Accords, which include aviation-safety provisions between the UAE and Israel. It has prompted airlines such as United and Air France to reconsider crew-nationality policies for flights to Israel and spurred Israeli officials to review vetting of foreign pilots. The pending class-action suit could set precedent for liability under the Montreal Convention, potentially influencing airline security standards worldwide.
What’s Next
- UAE prosecutors continue to examine flight-data recordings and interview crew.
- Israel’s Transportation Ministry is expected to publish its security-procedure review within weeks.
- The passenger steering committee plans to meet with international law firms before selecting counsel for the class-action suit.