What is a crash axe? The weapon used in the FlyDubai attacks
A crash axe is a heavy-duty emergency tool carried aboard commercial aircrafts.
The axe typically has a sharp blade on one side and a pointed spike on the other. Its insulated handle helps protect against electrical hazards, while the blade and spike can be used to break through panels and other structures during an onboard fire or emergency landing.
After the 9/11 attacks, security measures mandated that crash axes are kept inside the reinforced flight deck so they can be used if the crew needs to fight a fire or clear an obstruction during an emergency.
Suha Kidwai3 October 2026 17:00
UAE launches probe into FlyDubai flight hijacking attempt
The UAE Attorney General, Counsellor Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, has confirmed that Emirati authorities are conducting an ongoing investigation to establish the motive behind the mid-air attack.
According to state media outlet WAM, specialised investigators are now analysing physical and digital evidence to determine the co-pilot’s motives and identify any potential ties to external extremist organisations.
The news comes after earlier confirmation that the hijacking is being treated as a ‘terror’ attack by UAE authorities.
Suha Kidwai3 October 2026 16:00
Co-pilot in FlyDubai attack identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami – reports
The co-pilot suspected of stabbing the captain of an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight was an Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami, according to reports.
The attacker was born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and Syrian mother, CNN reported.
Maira Butt3 October 2026 15:50
Watch: FlyDubai pilot hailed as ‘national hero’ as he describes attack
FlyDubai pilot hailed as ‘national hero’ as he describes attack
Maira Butt3 October 2026 15:01
Israel plane attacker was banned from flying by Oman over suspected radicalisation – report
However, the nature of his radicalisation has not been shared.
CNN reported that the pilot had been removed from a previous job at Oman’s national airline last year following concerns about his extremist views.
Maira Butt3 October 2026 14:34
In-flight attack on FlyDubai pilot puts aviation security measures under fresh scrutiny
Israel has some of the world’s most stringent air travel security measures.
The United Arab Emirates proudly adheres to international aviation safety standards. Yet those safeguards failed to prevent a flight between the countries from taking a dangerous plunge during an alleged attack in the cockpit.
The copilot allegedly stabbed the captain in the cockpit before passengers intervened aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 after taking off from Dubai, UAE, with 174 people flying to Tel Aviv, Israel, on Wednesday.
“Until this event, the possibility of a threat originating from a pilot or crew member was not considered a likely scenario. Security efforts have traditionally focused much more heavily on passengers and their luggage,” says Eyal Hulata, Israel’s former national security adviser.
“That will probably change now and crew members will be subject to heavier screening.”
Rituparna Chatterjee3 October 2026 14:00
How ‘Israel’s 9/11’ was averted after midair stabbing as co-pilot’s motive remains a mystery
But, in the age of social media, the true chaos aboard the FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 quickly came to light. Footage and images sent from the plane by blood-covered passengers showed them overpowering the co-pilot, who it later emerged was an Omani national.
Maira Butt3 October 2026 13:30
Analysis: How the FlyDubai hijacking could help Netanyahu stay in power
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister had just taken a similar flight path from the UAE to Israel as the ill-fated FlyDubai passengers.
He had been in Abu Dhabi, Israeli media has reported, because he was trying to get the president of the Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to say publicly that he had not warned Netanyahu about the October 7 2023 Hamas-led massacres.
Maira Butt3 October 2026 13:00
University had license to sponsor students suspended this week
Buckinghamshire New University had its license to sponsor international students suspended with immediate effect on Wednesday, according to reports in the BBC.
It said that the suspension was due to “many of the issues raised by the Home Office relate to historic international student recruitment activity”.
It has 20 days to respond to the revocation and existing international students may continue to study there in the interim.
Maira Butt3 October 2026 12:31
Breaking: Israeli hijacking co-pilot completed course at UK university
Hamam al-Hammami, a co-pilot who attacked a flight captain on a flight to Tel Aviv, completed a course at Buckinghamshire New University it has emerged.
A spokesperson for Buckinghamshire New University told The Independent: “Our thoughts are with the injured pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident.
“Hamam al Hammami previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management. He did not undertake any pilot training at the University.”
Maira Butt3 October 2026 12:12
