Hijack mystery solved: ‘weapon’ was in cockpit

By the Editorial Team · Monday, October 5, 2026

The co-pilot of Flydubai Flight 1073 attempted to hijack the plane mid-flight using an emergency crash axe from the cockpit, but passengers and crew subdued him before he could gain control. The incident highlights serious security concerns over the pilot’s prior ban due to radical views and raises questions about safeguarding against internal threats within the flight deck.

The mystery surrounding the weapon used in the attempted hijacking of Flydubai Flight 1073 has been clarified: the co-pilot did not smuggle a weapon aboard but instead used an emergency crash axe located inside the cockpit. The incident occurred on Wednesday during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, over Saudi Arabian airspace.

The plane’s captain, Smit Machchar, recounted that the co-pilot, identified as Hammami al-Hammami, an Omani national, asked to pray and then suddenly struck him from behind with the crash axe. The attack left the captain wounded but was ultimately unsuccessful in gaining control of the Boeing 737 MAX 8. The United Arab Emirates Attorney-General Hamad Saif AlShamsi confirmed that al-Hammami initiated his attack using the axe and attempted to take over the flight controls.

Al-Hammami had previously been banned from flying by Oman’s state airline amid concerns over his radical ideological views. The decision to include him on Flydubai’s crew, despite these warnings, has sparked questions about security screening and hiring protocols, especially given the strict measures enforced at Dubai International Airport. Aviation security experts note that crash axes are standard equipment, required for emergencies such as fires or crashes, and stored in the cockpit sheath. However, the tool’s accessibility to pilots makes it a potential hazard when misused.

The attack raises complex issues about aviation safety. Reinforced cockpit doors installed after the September 11 attacks are designed to protect pilots from external threats but can complicate responses to threats originating within the flight deck. Security analysts stress that while screening processes are rigorous, internal threats involving crew members remain difficult to predict and prevent.

Passengers who subdued al-Hammami reportedly did not immediately see the weapon amid efforts to restrain him, though information about the crash axe quickly circulated among them. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with survivors upon their arrival in Israel and praised their actions in a video message. The incident has been framed within the context of Israel’s ongoing security concerns and is resonating politically ahead of the nation’s upcoming elections.

Netanyahu’s office has emphasized reliance on Israeli security analyses as the investigation continues, while Flydubai declined to comment. Political observers note that the hijacking attempt has temporarily shifted public attention toward Israeli resilience and heroism but also intensified scrutiny over how a pilot flagged for radical views was allowed to operate a key international route.

With elections imminent, the episode may influence the competitive landscape between Netanyahu’s right-wing Likud party and the centrist Yashar party, led by former military chief Gadi Eisenkot. Opposition leaders have highlighted the passengers’ bravery while criticizing any political exploitation of the event.

The incident adds to a complex security environment in the region, notably following last year’s Hamas-led attack and ongoing multi-front conflicts. It also underscores ongoing challenges in aviation security, balancing protection against external threats with vigilance toward internal risks.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.