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Flydubai Investigation: Two Maldivian Pilots Detained in UAE, Reports Say

Authorities are probing possible links between the detained pilots and an alleged attempt to hijack and crash a flydubai flight carrying 174 people.

  • UAE police arrested two Maldivian pilots on October 3 regarding the September 30 hijack attempt on FLyDubai flight FZ1073, which carried 174 passengers and crew from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
  • During the flight, Omani co-pilot Hammam Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe in an attempted hijack; passengers and crew intervened, forcing an emergency landing at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
  • Indian Captain Smit Machchhar is responding well to treatment at an Abu Dhabi hospital. The UAE described the incident as an attempted "terrorist attack," noting Hammami was previously barred from obtaining a pilot's license due to suspected extremist ideologies.
  • National Investigation Agency registered a case under the Anti-Hijacking Act and Unlawful Activities Act to probe the conspiracy. Authorities detained the Maldivian pilots, who reportedly lived in the same building as Hammami.
  • The UAE Attorney General is conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine if the detained pilots had ties to the attacker. No official details regarding evidence against the Maldivian nationals have been released by UAE authorities.
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The possible involvement of those arrested with Haamam Hammani has not been disclosed

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UAE police have arrested two Maldivian pilots of Flydubai Airlines. They are accused of being involved in an attempted hijacking of a flight involving an Omani co-pilot. Both pilots had recently joined the airline and are now being questioned by police.

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The Muslim Skeptic broke the news on Monday, October 12, 2026.
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