The UAE Attorney-General said an investigation into the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 found that the first officer intended to carry out a “terrorist act”. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the first officer attacked the captain with an emergency axe in the cockpit and attempted to seize control of the aircraft.

This is the UAE judiciary’s latest and most explicit official statement on the nature of the incident, which occurred on Wednesday, September 30, during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE prosecutors had previously said the investigation would determine whether the incident was linked to terrorist activity or objectives, and whether it had been planned or directed in advance.

The disclosure that an “emergency axe” was used also provides new details about the attack. Initial reports indicated that a knife or sharp object had been used, but the UAE Attorney-General has now said the first officer used an emergency axe kept in the cockpit. Reuters reported that the tool was part of the cockpit’s emergency equipment.

Al Shamsi said the investigation was continuing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, the first officer’s motive and any possible links. Investigators are also examining physical and digital evidence and completing technical assessments. Although the UAE Attorney-General has now described the act as terrorist in nature, it remains unclear whether the first officer acted alone or whether any individual, group or entity directed or supported him.

The Associated Press on the morning of Saturday, October 3, identified the first officer as Hamam Al Hammami, an Omani national. The news agency said three people familiar with the case, including an Arab diplomat and a Western diplomat, had confirmed his identity. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly.

Flydubai flight FZ1073 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the cockpit incident and a sharp loss of altitude. Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior said the aircraft landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk at 9.45am, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority said on Friday that Captain Smith Machhar had returned to the UAE, was in good condition and was receiving treatment. The UAE judicial investigation into Hamam Al Hammami’s motive, background and possible connections remains under way.