The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 used a cockpit crash axe to attack the captain before trying to take control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8, according to UAE prosecutors. Wednesday’s incident took place onboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and is now being treated as an attempted terrorist attack by authorities.

As Simple Flying reported earlier this week, the incident sent the aircraft into a steep dive, dropping more than 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. It has also been reported that the co-pilot, an Omani national, had previously been barred from flying with former employer Oman Air over concerns that he had adopted extremist views before later being hired by flydubai.

flydubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Axe Before Attempted Cockpit Takeover

Credit: Felix Tchvertkin | Shutterstock

In a public update on Saturday, UAE Attorney General Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the first officer “attempted to carry out a terrorist act” on Wednesday’s flight from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV). The flight had 174 passengers on board and landed safely after diverting to Tabuk Airport (TUU) in Saudi Arabia, although the captain — named as Indian national Smit Machchhar — sustained serious injuries during the attack.

Initial reporting stated that Machchhar had been stabbed, but authorities had not identified the weapon. It has now been confirmed that the cockpit crash axe — a piece of equipment stored in cockpits for use during emergencies — was used to attack Machchhar, who suffered deep wounds but is now in stable condition. State news agency WAM quoted Al Shamsi as saying,

“Investigations into the incident involving flydubai flight ⁠FZ1073 found that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist attack.”

Omani Co-Pilot Faced Prior Security Concerns

Credit: SLSK Photography | Shutterstock

The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, who was reportedly born in the UAE to a Syrian mother. A Wall Street Journal report claims that Oman Air barred him from flying over concerns that he had adopted extremist views. This was reportedly uncovered after government surveillance logged visits to radical websites, after which he resigned from the airline.

He then reportedly joined Royal Air Maroc before becoming a flydubai pilot around eight months ago. How he was assigned to a flight to Israel is now being investigated. Israel has an agreement with foreign airlines requiring pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel to stay out of its airspace.

Israel and Oman do not have formal diplomatic ties, raising questions over whether flydubai breached the agreement. The Dubai-based carrier has since suspended all flights to Israel at the request of authorities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that al-Hammami “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination,” adding that after he was subdued, he called out to the crew, “Kill me, kill me!“

Boeing 737 MAX Resilience Helped Avoid Tragedy

Credit: Boeing

Wednesday’s incident could have been far worse after images of the aircraft on the ground show it missing a large section of its rudder. Flight tracking data reveals the aircraft reached a descent rate of up to 31,000 feet per minute during its sudden drop, while its ground speed jumped from around 400 knots to almost 600 knots.

US President Donald Trump said the 737 MAX withstood G-forces “far beyond” its design limits, and used the opportunity to praise planemaker Boeing for building the jet with “powerful structural planning and design.” The aircraft was reportedly pulled out of its dive by a passenger identified as an Israeli plumber, who claims he knew what to do after watching the TV show Air Crash Investigation.

The captain’s actions have also drawn praise, as he managed to unlock the cockpit door despite his injuries. Machchhar said he was lying injured on the cockpit floor when he realized the aircraft was descending. Using the strength he had left, he unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.