Dramatic Reconstruction Details Thwarted Cockpit Takeover on Flydubai Flight
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera published a detailed reconstruction of the thwarted cockpit takeover on Flydubai flight FZ1073, detailing a co-pilot's attack and steep dive.
A dramatic reconstruction published by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera details the thwarted cockpit takeover attempt on Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to tracking data, video footage, and expert analyses, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain mid-flight before plunging the aircraft into a steep dive.
The incident began unfolding at Dubai International Airport, where 174 passengers boarded the Boeing 737 MAX. The flight was captained by Smith Maher, 38, alongside 29-year-old first officer Hamam al-Hamami Omani. The flight proceeded normally until cruising altitude was reached at 34,000 feet, with two off-duty pilots also on board as relief crew.
The Cockpit Attack
At approximately 09:15, the first officer requested to leave the cockpit to pray, a routine request that raised no suspicion. Minutes later, al-Hamami allegedly retrieved the emergency axe from the flight deck and struck the captain from behind. Despite severe head injuries and heavy blood loss, the captain fought back and attempted to reach the cockpit door mechanism to let help in.
However, the armored door became an obstacle as the co-pilot blocked it from the inside. A chain of coincidences involving a five-year-old passenger and her mother alerted off-duty pilots traveling as passengers. They managed to unlock the door, overpower the first officer, and stabilize the aircraft.
Steep Dive and Technical Investigation
During the struggle, the autopilot was disconnected, and the aircraft plunged nearly 16,000 feet in less than 30 seconds at speeds exceeding 970 km/h. Boeing 737 captains analyzing passenger cabin footage noted that emergency lights were illuminated while the aircraft was still airborne, suggesting that the engines may have been intentionally shut down during the dive.
After regaining control, the crew squawked emergency codes 7700 and subsequently 7500, indicating an unlawful interference. The plane was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. The captain was hospitalized with severe injuries, and the co-pilot was taken into custody.
Motive and Security Concerns
Israeli intelligence assessments cited by Corriere della Sera suggest the co-pilot intended to murder the captain and crash the aircraft in Israel. Al-Hamami had reportedly worked for Flydubai for just eight months after leaving Oman Air over suspected extremist views. CBS News reported that Israeli investigators believe he acted alone as a lone wolf, though investigations into potential terror links continue.
