The Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said on October 3 that initial investigations determined the co-pilot of Flydubai flight FZ1073 had planned a terrorist attack during the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
UAE state news agency WAM quoted Al Shamsi as saying that according to preliminary investigations, the co-pilot "attacked the captain inside the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft."
According to data recorded by Flightradar24, the plane carrying 182 people suddenly dropped approximately 17,000 feet, or more than 5,000 meters, in just about a minute after the incident occurred.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances of the incident, the suspect's motives, and any related connections. Authorities are also examining physical evidence and digital data to aid the investigation.
The suspect had previously been banned from flying.
The identity of the co-pilot accused of assaulting the captain on the Flydubai flight has been identified by several media outlets as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen.
CNN, citing two sources familiar with the matter, reported that the suspect had been dismissed from his job at Oman's national airline last year due to extremist views. Al Arabiya television also cited a source saying that Omani authorities had identified the suspect as having spent time in Syria, raising concerns that he may have been influenced by extremist groups there. Meanwhile, ABC News, citing senior intelligence and law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation, said the suspect was believed to have possessed extremist materials while he was a pilot trainee.
According to an unnamed official, the co-pilot was born in the UAE and has a Syrian mother. The official confirmed that the pilot previously worked for Oman's national airline but was suspended from flying due to concerns about extremist ideology. He was then transferred to an administrative position at Oman Air and subsequently hired by the UAE-based airline Flydubai. The official also stated that security agencies from four countries in the region are working to determine the pilot's motives and why he became co-pilot on the flight to Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated that the suspect had undergone radical Islamic indoctrination and was attempting to crash the plane. He also said the suspect had shouted at the crew, "Kill me," suggesting this behavior indicated suicidal intent.
On October 1, US President Donald Trump warned Iran that it would face "very strong consequences" if the investigation determined Tehran was involved in the attack. However, UAE investigators have not yet released conclusions regarding any connection to Iran.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Al Hammami is reportedly "cooperating" with authorities and has "admitted to crashing the plane into Israel."
The captain speaks publicly about the incident for the first time.
On October 2nd, Indian Captain Smit Machchhar spoke publicly for the first time about the incident on a Flydubai flight from the UAE to Israel, in which he was assaulted by the co-pilot during the flight.
Speaking to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by phone from his hospital bed, Machchhar said that after the attack, he was so severely injured that he collapsed. Despite his serious injuries, he realized the plane was losing altitude and needed to act quickly to prevent disaster. Therefore, he managed to open the cockpit door. The captain's actions allowed passengers and crew to access the cockpit, regain control of the aircraft, and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, saving the flight from a catastrophe.
Machchhar has 17 years of experience in aviation, including 11 years as a captain. He stated that his years of experience helped him understand the aircraft's condition even while injured. The UAE Civil Aviation Authority subsequently commended Captain Machchhar, the crew, and the passengers for their quick response to the emergency. The authority stated that their decisive actions helped control the situation and prevent more serious consequences.
Following the incident, Flydubai suspended flights to and from Israel. On October 3rd, Israel's Arkia Airlines organized the first repatriation flight to bring Israeli citizens still stranded in the UAE back home.
Source: https://baonghean.vn/uae-co-pho-flydubai-dinh-thuc-hien-hanh-dong-khung-bo-10352722.html
