Dubai, October 13: Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai have reportedly been detained by authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of an investigation into an alleged plot to hijack and crash a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight. The case involves an alleged mid-air attack on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was reportedly injured while resisting the suspected attacker.
According to Maldivian news portal Adhadhu, the two pilots were taken into custody on October 3. Their families have reportedly been informed of the detentions by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE.
Maldivian authorities have declined to comment publicly on the matter, while UAE officials have not released details of the allegations against the detained pilots or confirmed their suspected roles in the incident.
The arrests come amid an expanding investigation into an incident on September 30 involving flydubai co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national accused of attacking Captain Machchhar during the flight.
According to media reports, the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with an axe in an attempt to seize control of the aircraft and carry out what authorities have described as a suspected terrorist attack.
The Male-based newspaper Mihaaru reported that the two detained pilots were believed to have interacted with al-Hammami at work and lived in the same building as him. However, investigators have not publicly established the nature of their alleged involvement or disclosed evidence linking them to the suspected plot.
The two men are among six Maldivian nationals employed as pilots by flydubai and are reportedly among the airline’s most recent recruits from the Maldives, according to edition.mv.
What Happened Aboard Flight FZ1073?
Flight FZ1073, carrying 174 passengers and crew members, was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the alleged attack occurred.
According to reports, al-Hammami allegedly assaulted Captain Machchhar in an attempt to take control of the aircraft. Despite sustaining serious injuries, the Indian pilot reportedly resisted the attack and managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing other crew members and passengers to intervene and overpower the alleged attacker.
The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia.
UAE authorities have identified the accused co-pilot as 29-year-old Hammam al-Hammami. Officials have also reportedly said he was suspected of supporting extremist ideologies and that Omani authorities had previously barred him from obtaining a pilot’s licence.
Investigators are examining how al-Hammami was recruited by flydubai despite the reported restriction, along with the motive behind the alleged attack and whether other individuals or groups were involved.
The UAE Attorney General has said a comprehensive investigation is underway in coordination with regional security agencies.
NIA Probes Wider Conspiracy
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also registered a case to investigate the alleged mid-air attack and determine whether a wider conspiracy was involved.
The case has reportedly been registered under the Anti-Hijacking Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) earlier said Captain Machchhar was responding well to treatment following surgery at a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
The Indian Embassy in the UAE has remained in contact with his family, medical team, hospital authorities and local officials to monitor his recovery.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have yet to publicly establish whether the two detained Maldivian pilots had any direct involvement in the alleged plot.
