FlyDubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Ax, UAE Calls It Terror Act

A co-pilot flying FlyDubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv attempted to seize control of the aircraft in what United Arab Emirates officials are calling a "terrorist act," according to The Washington Post. The co-pilot is accused of using an ax carried aboard the aircraft to attack the captain mid-flight.

The characterization comes directly from UAE officials, who described the co-pilot's actions as an attempt to "take control of the aircraft" as part of a broader effort to carry out a "terrorist act," the Post reported. The airline connects Dubai, one of the Gulf's busiest aviation hubs, to Tel Aviv on a route that has drawn scrutiny given regional tensions.

What happened aboard Flight 1073?

According to the available reporting, the incident unfolded during the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight when the co-pilot allegedly moved against the captain using an ax. UAE officials have framed the episode as an attempted hijacking tied to terrorism rather than a personal or in-flight dispute. The Post's account does not specify how the confrontation ended, whether the aircraft diverted, or the current condition of the captain, and no additional detail on those points has been made public as of this report.

Why did UAE officials call it a terrorist act?

The language used by UAE officials — "terrorist act" and an attempt to "take control of the aircraft" — signals that authorities view the co-pilot's conduct as premeditated and ideologically or politically motivated rather than a spontaneous act. That designation carries legal weight in the UAE, where terrorism-related offenses typically trigger a separate track of prosecution and sentencing distinct from ordinary criminal charges. The Post's reporting attributes the characterization to UAE officials without naming a specific agency or spokesperson, and it does not include additional government statements laying out evidence for the claim.

What role did the ax play?

Commercial aircraft, including those operated by FlyDubai, carry axes as standard emergency equipment, typically stored in the cockpit or forward galley for use in cutting through cabin materials during fires or other emergencies. The reporting indicates the co-pilot used such an ax in the alleged attack on the captain, though the Post's account does not detail how the tool was accessed or whether cockpit procedures were breached beforehand.

What is not yet known?

The UAE has not released a full statement, charging document, or timeline beyond the characterization relayed in the Post's report. Questions that remain open include the co-pilot's identity and nationality, whether passengers were aware of the incident in real time, how crew or security personnel intervened, and whether the flight landed as scheduled or diverted.

What to watch

• Further statements from UAE aviation or justice officials detailing charges
• Any FlyDubai statement on crew screening or in-flight security protocols
• Confirmation from Israeli authorities on the flight's landing status
• International aviation bodies weighing in on cockpit-access procedures