The aircraft, a Boeing 737‑800, was cruising at 16,000 feet when co‑pilot Khaled Nassar stabbed captain Saad Al‑Jadri with a custom‑made crash axe, sending the jet into a 30‑second freefall.
The captain, who sustained a deep gash on his arm, remained conscious and guided the crew until the emergency landing was achieved. A dozen passengers, including a 5‑year‑old girl, clamped the cockpit door and helped the standby crew regain control. Captain Al‑Jadri later told reporters that the moment of impact felt like a seismic shock—he praised the crew’s composure, saying, "We were all trained for the worst."
UAE prosecutors said the attack was pre‑planned and that the co‑pilot had already expressed extremist sympathies before joining flydubai. Attorney General Abdulrahman Al‑Zahr told the press that preliminary evidence shows the assailant had been monitored by security agencies for months. He added that the suspect will be held for further questioning until the investigation is complete.
Israeli security officials confirmed that Khaled Nassar had a history of radicalization, with the Shin Bet noting his online activity predates his employment. Security Agency head Hadas Koren said, "We had intelligence on his extremist leanings, but he slipped through our vetting process." The Israeli side has requested that flydubai provide a full background check for all flight crew members.
Officials are reviewing cockpit door procedures, and the UAE Civil Aviation Authority is working with ICAO to tighten regulations on crew presence during flight. Meanwhile, passengers who survived the incident are receiving psychological support from airline staff. The next hearing in the UAE court is scheduled for June 15, when the co‑pilot’s bail will be decided.