UAE Detains Two Maldivian Pilots in Flydubai Inquiry

Two Maldivian pilots employed by flydubai were detained by United Arab Emirates police on October 3 as investigators widened an inquiry into an alleged attempt to hijack flight FZ1073, according to reporting attributed to Maldivian outlet Adhadhu. Their families were subsequently informed of the detentions by the Maldivian Embassy in the UAE, the reports said. The September 30 incident occurred aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE authorities have identified the accused attacker as Omani copilot Hammam al-Hammami, who is alleged to have assaulted Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe in an effort to take control of the aircraft. Machchhar was seriously injured but resisted the attack and opened the cockpit door, enabling others to intervene and subdue al-Hammami, according to the reports. The plane made an emergency landing at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia. UAE authorities have not publicly detailed the allegations or evidence against the two detained pilots. Maldivian officials have declined public comment, according to the reports. Their detention does not establish that they were involved in the alleged plot.