UAE investigation reveals motives of flydubai co-pilot's attack

UAE Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said investigations into the flydubai flight FZ1073 revealed the co-pilot began a "premeditated terrorist plot" to seize control of the aircraft and use it to launch a "suicide attack" targeting the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Saudi Arabia's Tabuk on September 30 after "an initial statement by the airline that an altercation occurred in the aircraft’s flight deck while the plane was en route". 

In a statement shared by UAE news agency WAM, Al Shamsi said the goal of the Omani co-pilot was to cause "the greatest possible loss of life". 

Investigations into the background of the 29-year-old suspect indicated that signs of his drift towards extremism and terrorism first emerged in 2017, while he was studying in Australia.

He was influenced by the "takfiri" ideology from reading extremist literature and following online content "glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide attacks", the Attorney-General noted. 

He added that the co-pilot had "drawn inspiration from the September 11, 2001 attack" and was influenced to carry out a similar operation using an aircraft. 

"According to his confession, this was linked to his decision to pursue a career in aviation," said the Attorney General. 

Al Shamsi further shared that the suspect admitted that, while studying in Melbourne, he regularly attended a mosque affiliated with the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), where he became acquainted with individuals associated with a centre known as "My Centre". 

The suspect stated the centre was managed by a Lebanese man known as “Abu Hamza” and allegedly received support from an association linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

He added in his confession that he had prepared himself both psychologically and physically to carry out the plot by intensifying his exposure to material promoting terrorism and training in boxing under a private coach.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

The suspect worked for several airlines in different countries during his professional career, Al Shamsi added. 

He was employed by Oman Air from 2020 to 2024, joined Royal Air Maroc in early 2025 and worked there for several months, before moving to flydubai in January 2026, the authority shared. 

Investigations also showed that the suspect had used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to "familiarise himself with the flight route" and the airport as part of his own preparations for the alleged terrorist plot, which he then carried out on September 30 during his third flight to the city. 

The probe also examined the procedures through which the suspect had been recruited by flydubai, where, according to the Attorney General, he met the professional and security requirements for employment. This included holding a pilot’s licence, providing a certificate of good conduct and completing the required checks.

However, none of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot, the Attorney-General noted. 

DETAILS ON THE FLIGHT INCIDENT

The statement also recounted the details of the flight incident. The suspect allegedly took the aircraft’s captain by surprise inside the cockpit and attacked him with an emergency axe. In response, the captain resisted the assault and attempted to call for help.

A pilot assigned to the return flight who was on board and near the cockpit was suspicious of the pilots' operations after noticing that the cockpit door had been opening and closing repeatedly "in an unusual manner". 

He approached the cockpit and attempted to enter using the access code, and after gaining entry, witnessed the suspect attacking the captain.

He immediately intervened with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers, and together they rescued the injured captain and restrained the suspect, reported WAM. 

Meanwhile, the return-flight captain and his co-pilot regained control of the aircraft, diverted its route and landed safely at Saudi Arabia's Tabuk Airport.

The suspect provided a detailed confession outlining his motives and all stages of planning and execution in the presence of his lawyer and all legally prescribed safeguards

He admitted that he had acted alone, without the involvement of others, although investigations are continuing to verify this claim, the statement said. 

The Public Prosecution also heard statements from the aircraft’s captain, the return-flight pilot, his co-pilot and members of the crew, according to WAM. 

The forensic medical report established that the captain’s injuries were concentrated on the head, a vital and potentially fatal area.

The report also showed the injuries were recent and consistent with the timing of the incident and were caused by an "implement whose characteristics were consistent with an emergency axe". It also matched the statements taken from the suspect, captain, and witness testimony. 

The UAE prosecution said it continues to examine the evidence and investigate the possible involvement of accomplices or other connections, with further findings to be announced in accordance with the ongoing investigation. 

UAE Attorney-General announces updates on investigation into the Flydubai flight FZ1073 incident#WamNews https://t.co/Z79IJWnSQy pic.twitter.com/XSesDBTgpF

— WAM English (@WAMNEWS_ENG) October 9, 2026