The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, identified as Omani national Hammam al-Hammami, attempted to carry out a "terrorist" attack during the flight, the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general announced on Saturday. According to state news agency WAM, al-Hammami attacked the pilot inside the cockpit with a crash axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft.

A crash axe is a tool typically kept in the cockpit for emergency situations.

UAE authorities stated that investigations are underway to ascertain the circumstances, motives, and any potential connections related to the incident, while examining both physical and digital evidence. This marks the first official statement from Emirati authorities characterizing the event as an attempted "terrorist" act.

The incident was averted on Wednesday when passengers and crew members managed to subdue the co-pilot after he attacked the captain. Israeli officials suggested the co-pilot's actions were an apparent attempt to crash the plane, which was carrying over 170 passengers and crew. A reserve flydubai pilot, who was a passenger on the flight, took control of the aircraft and successfully landed it at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was subsequently detained by Saudi authorities.

Flydubai has stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation and declined to comment further. An Israeli government official indicated that Israeli investigators would participate in the UAE-led probe to examine the events, the suspect's motives, and background.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on Friday that Israel was investigating whether the co-pilot acted under direction, warning that all involved would face severe consequences. He had previously stated that the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, appeared to have undergone radical Islamist indoctrination and may have been suicidal, although a definitive motive had not yet been established. The majority of passengers on board were Israeli nationals.

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 revealed that the aircraft experienced a significant altitude drop of approximately 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia en route from the UAE to Israel. This route is particularly popular among Israeli travelers.