FlyDubai co-pilot used cockpit emergency ax in attempted attack: report

Authorities said the Omani co-pilot attacked the captain with the aircraft’s emergency ax and then attempted to take control of the plane.

Published: October 3, 2026 3:58pm

The co-pilot accused of trying to take control of a FlyDubai passenger jet during a flight to Israel used an emergency ax kept inside the cockpit, rather than bringing a separate weapon onto the aircraft, according to United Arab Emirates authorities.

The incident occurred aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073 as the Boeing 737 MAX 8 was traveling from Dubai toward Tel Aviv. 

Authorities said the Omani co-pilot attacked the captain with the aircraft’s emergency ax and then attempted to take control of the plane.


 

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