Did a FlyDubai Co-Pilot Plan to Crash a Plane Into Tel Aviv Airport? What UAE Prosecutors Say

Quick answer: UAE's top prosecutor says a FlyDubai co-pilot attacked his captain mid-flight and intended to crash a plane carrying 174 people into Tel Aviv's airport terminal. The co-pilot is reported to have drawn inspiration from the September 11 attacks. No deaths were reported; passengers detained the co-pilot and helped steady the aircraft.

Key facts

• What: Alleged planned aviation attack on a FlyDubai passenger flight
• Where: In the air above Jordan and Saudi Arabia; the intended target was Tel Aviv's airport terminal
• Reported: 10 October 2026, via www.1news.co.nz
• Reported toll: no deaths reported
• Status: prosecutors' allegations; the co-pilot is reported to have admitted acting alone

What happened

The co-pilot — identified as Omani national Hammami — attacked the captain of a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv last month, wielding an axe. UAE's top prosecutor now says the co-pilot intended to seize control of the aircraft and fly it into the passenger terminal at the Israeli airport "with the intention of causing the greatest possible number of casualties".

According to the statement, carried by the UAE state news agency WAM, the co-pilot "drew inspiration" from the September 11, 2001 attacks. He has admitted to acting alone.

The crisis played out in the skies above Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Passengers detained the co-pilot and helped steady the aircraft, which had plunged roughly 14,000 to 16,000 feet. Most of the 174 people on board were Israelis.

FlyDubai's statement said none of the airline's security or professional checks had flagged the co-pilot. This is the most comprehensive update on the case since the UAE took over the investigation.

Aviation safety context

• Commercial flying remains the safest form of transport per kilometre travelled
• Crew background checks and cockpit security procedures are now under renewed scrutiny
• This case is being handled by UAE prosecutors; official findings will come from the investigation, not initial media reports
• Our aviation incident tracker follows verified cases from official data

What happens next

UAE prosecutors have taken over the investigation. Court proceedings and official findings are expected in the coming weeks and months; we update the live world map as new verified reports surface.

Frequently asked questions

Did anyone die in the FlyDubai incident?

No deaths were reported. The alleged attack was thwarted when passengers detained the co-pilot and helped steady the aircraft.

Where did it happen?

In the air above Jordan and Saudi Arabia, on a FlyDubai flight bound for Tel Aviv. The intended target, according to UAE prosecutors, was the passenger terminal at the Israeli airport.

Who was the co-pilot?

He was identified as Omani national Hammami. Prosecutors say he admitted acting alone and had not been flagged by FlyDubai's security or professional checks.

*This story is based on verified reporting from the UAE state news agency and wire services; details may be updated as the investigation progresses.*

Source: www.1news.co.nz — https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxON1JDd0pYeE1JVXJpdTF4RVMxal9WYThKd0g5Yzh5QVBSRzdFYW51UXFaQUo1RU5BSmpBemYzYS1GdWZmSU55S3pMblFhWjhXd2JxcGdLSVdYSDhrQkVIak9sWDU1bkJrRXJpQkl6eVZ5aHZmZmtoLXNlZGtvSjdLaW54bGtIVTZMdm9RaEQyQ09pdU94YWdfQjlvMERfUi1tSmhsR2k5Zmw5OWFJ?oc=5. Live tracking: our world map updates every 15 minutes.