flydubai pilot allegedly planned Tel Aviv hijack attempt before attack

A flydubai pilot allegedly planned to hijack a previous flight to Tel Aviv but abandoned the idea after recognizing someone onboard. According to a source briefed on the UAE investigation, the co-pilot had intended to take control of the aircraft and crash it but changed his mind due to familiarity with a passenger.

The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, when a flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv transmitted emergency transponder codes indicating unlawful interference. The first officer attacked the captain with a crash axe inside the cockpit, prompting passengers to intervene and restrain the attacker after the captain managed to open the door.

An additional pilot on the aircraft regained control after the plane descended more than 14,000 feet in roughly 30 seconds. UAE authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist attack and have not publicly disclosed the co-pilot’s identity, though sources suggest he is Omani. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances, motives, and any potential links related to the attack.

On October 3, 2026, UAE authorities confirmed that the co-pilot had executed his plan during the flight, attacking the captain and attempting to take control of the aircraft. The Attorney-General of the UAE, Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, stated that technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence are being conducted as part of the investigation.