Co-pilot identified in FlyDubai attempted hijacking

The Associated Press released new details Saturday identifying the co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound flydubai flight earlier this week as Omani national Hamam Al-Hammami. According to the United Arab Emirates Prosecutor General, Al-Hammami allegedly used a cockpit crash axe to attack the Indian-national pilot and attempted to seize control of the aircraft in what UAE officials are calling a "terrorist attack." Investigators are currently working to determine if the co-pilot acted as a lone wolf or has ties to extremist groups. The incident occurred early Wednesday, September 30, on a Tel Aviv-bound flight carrying 174 passengers from Dubai. Several passengers forced their way into the cockpit to help restrain the attacker—an act of "tremendous courage," according to the Israeli Prime Minister—allowing the crew to safely land the aircraft in Saudi Arabia.