Breaking

An Omani co-pilot identified as Hamam al Hammami attacked the captain of FlyDubai flight FZ981 with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft, according to multiple sources including Times of Israel and Israeli media outlets. The incident occurred during a flight from Oman, and the co-pilot was subsequently apprehended.

Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera conducted a detailed minute-by-minute analysis of the flight, with two Boeing 737 experts identifying evidence that emergency lights were activated while the aircraft was airborne. This suggests the co-pilot may have deliberately shut down both engines after pushing the control column forward with full force, according to analysis by Israeli media and confirmed by multiple aviation experts cited in reports.

During the attempted takeover, a sharp loss of altitude was recorded and emergency lights activated in the cabin. Investigators are examining whether the co-pilot cut electrical supply to the aircraft. Questions remain about who transmitted the emergency code during the incident.

The co-pilot, an Omani national, had studied in Australia from 2015 to 2017 on a student visa, with authorities now scrutinising his background as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the attempted hijacking.

Sources: Ynet, www.israelhayom.co.il, Times of Israel, Jerusalem Post