Did HAnuMAN Chalisa Save Them From HAMAM?
In less than a month of commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 terror strikes, on 30 September, this year, another incident of terror unfolded onboard the Israel-bound FlyDubai flight (Flight FZ1073) from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami using tools that are meant for emergency repair and to fix issues attacked the Indian- origin Pilot Captain Smit Machchhar. The weapon believed to have been used is a wooden axe, sourced from the emergency tool kit in the cockpit.
The grievously injured pilot of the ill-fated Boeing 737 MAX 8, from his hospital bed, in UAE, in a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that his intention was to save the lives of the 170-odd passengers and crew. The Captain also stated that throughout the untoward incident he kept reciting the Hanuman Chalisa. People from different walks of life echo the sentiments that the Hanuman Chalisa could have shielded the passengers and the crew from the alleged accused UAE-born, Israeli citizen co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami.
For those unfamiliar, Hanuman Chalisa is a 40-verse hymn, dedicated to Hindu God Hanuman. It is believed that reciting this hymn with spiritual devotion, gives the devotee the strength and courage to fight negativity. Lord Hanuman also frees his worshippers from difficulties.
The Latest Development
The accused co-pilot is at present arrested and is placed under formal detention, Meanwhile, international aviation bodies, with authorities from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, continue to examine and analyse data from the flight’s black boxes. The physical damage sustained by the aircraft’s rudder and control surfaces during the near-supersonic dive is also being closely analysed. Also, under investigation, is the possibility of radicalization concerns that could have influenced the incident.
The On-going Investigation
This FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 incident has brought together investigators from the International aviation bodies, authorities from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. According to investigating officials the incident was planned to the ‘t’. To begin with, Hamam al-Hammami joined FlyDubai with the aim of carrying out this incident. FlyDubai became the best option as it operates flights to Tel Aviv.
What Can We Expect?
The sequence of events that unfolded onboard the FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 passengers and crew has forced industry experts to look inwards while continuing to monitor outward threats, attacks and any wrong doing.
Cockpit Doors Revamp
In the aftermath of the September 30 FlyDubai incident, cockpit security protocols will be rewritten. It may be recalled that post the 9/11 incident the otherwise flimsy cockpit doors underwent a transformation for security purposes. The doors are bullet proof and have restricted access. Also, only the pilot and co-pilot can open or close the cockpit door, with access in the cockpit permitted to select crew only.
How Hamam al-Hammami got to FlyDubai
After completing aviation studies at a university in the United Kingdom, graduating in 2023, Hamam al-Hammami had a brief stint with Oman Air. He was removed from flight duty over flagged extremist material. Next, he underwent pre-employment theoretical training with Royal Air Maroc in 2025. He was hired by FlyDubai, where he had been flying for only about eight months.
Background Verification and Professional Screening Intensified
Against the backdrop of this incident and its aftermath, experts have raised concern about how and why Hamam al-Hammami was employed by FlyDubai. According to reports in the media, Iran does not permit pilots from nations it does not have diplomatic ties with to touch bases in its territory. Considering the fact that the co-pilot is Omani national, it surprises many as to how the co-pilot comfortably cleared security checks from the source and destination countries. This is another area of concern where rules governing the security and records of pilots and crew will be rewritten.
We’ve managed to put together the timeline of the FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 incident based on publicly reported flight tracking data and official statements available up to 6 October 2026.
29 September 2026
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went on record and stated Israel had indications that adversaries might attempt attacks before the upcoming election, as reported by media house Al Jazeera.
30 September 2026: The Incident
How it Unfolded?
Here is the chronological timeline of events concerning the FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 incident, starting from its departure on 30 September 2026, up to the present day:
30 September 2026 On the Day of the Incident
- 7:03 AM UAE Time: FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 (a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 174 passengers and crew pushed back from its gate at Dubai International Airport, bound for Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.
- 7:05 AM UAE Time: The aircraft officially took off and climbed smoothly to a cruising altitude of approximately 34,000 feet.
- 9:21 AM UAE Time Approximately 2 hours into the flight: A catastrophic security breach unfolded in the cockpit. The co-pilot (an Omani national) launched a sudden knife attack on the Pilot, Captain, Smit Machchhar from India.
- 9:21 AM – 9:22 AM UAE Time: The attacker violently pushed the plane’s nose downward, sending the aircraft into an extreme dive of up to 39 degrees. The Boeing 737 MAX plunged roughly 17,400 feet in just 92 seconds, briefly reaching speeds near Mach 0.96 (close to the speed of sound) and placing immense structural strain on the aircraft.
- 9:22 AM – 9:24 AM UAE Time: Following an initial dive and recovery, the plane suffered a secondary shorter plunge before being stabilized. Despite being severely injured and stabbed, Captain Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door.
- During the Struggle: Passengers including off-duty pilots and professionals travelling on board rushed into the cockpit, overpowered the co-pilot, and restrained him using makeshift ties like charging cables. Two off-duty relief pilots took over the flight controls to stabilize the damaged jet.
- 9:28 AM UAE Time: The flight crew transmitted Squawk 7700. It is the international transponder code for a general emergency while flying near the Saudi-Jordanian border.
- 9:35 AM UAE Time: The transponder code was changed to 7500, the specific international code signaling unlawful interference or hijacking.
- 9:44 AM UAE Time: Air traffic controllers in Tabuk received an emergency distress call from the flight requesting an emergency landing.
- 10:45 AM UAE Time: Flight FZ1073 landed safely at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Evening (6:40 PM UAE Time): After security checks and initial medical evaluations, all stranded passengers departed Tabuk on an alternative FlyDubai aircraft to complete their journey.
1 October – 2 October 2026
Immediate Aftermath and Investigations Open
- Medical & Diplomatic Actions: Captain Smit Machchhar was initially treated in Tabuk and subsequently airlifted to Abu Dhabi for specialized medical care. Leaders from India and from across the globe, including PM Narendra Modi and Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised Captain Machchhar and the intervening passengers for averting a massive disaster.
- Jurisdiction & Probes: Saudi authorities initiated preliminary inquiries, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Public Prosecution opened a comprehensive federal investigation because the aircraft is UAE-registered. The rogue co-pilot was placed under formal arrest and detention.
3 October – Investigation Intensifies
- Ongoing Investigations: International aviation bodies, alongside authorities from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, continue analyzing the flight’s black boxes and examining the structural damage sustained by the aircraft’s rudder and control surfaces during the near-supersonic dive.
- Security Scrutiny: The incident has triggered rigorous global discussions regarding heightened cockpit security measures, pilot mental health screening protocols, and vulnerability gaps on regional airline routes.
- Current Condition: Captain Machchhar continues to recover in the UAE and his condition is stable. The legal and security review into the co-pilot’s exact motives remains speculative.
4 October 2026
- Questions emerged regarding pilot vetting and intelligence sharing.
- Reports indicated UAE authorities had shared crew and passenger information prior to the flight, leading to scrutiny of how the co-pilot was cleared to operate the route.
- Iran denied allegations linking it to the incident.
5 October 2026
- Multiple media reports cited investigators who said:
- Ongoing investigations focused on:
- Pilot screening procedures.
- Background checks.
- Intelligence-sharing failures between countries.
- Cockpit security protocols.
6 October 2026 Latest Developments
09:07 IST As Reported in Indian Media
- New reports citing Israeli officials said the accused co-pilot allegedly told interrogators:
- He had planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport.
- He had intended the act as “Revenge for Gaza.”
- He allegedly sought employment with an airline serving Tel Aviv specifically to carry out the attack.
Current Status
- Hamam al-Hammami, the Co-pilot suspect and the accused is under investigation.
- UAE, Israeli, Saudi, and other authorities continue examining from all angles, motives, security failures, possible radicalization, and whether any broader network was involved.
Key Flight Statistics
- Flight: FZ1073
- Pilot: Captain Smit Machchhar
- Co-pilot: Hamam al-Hammami
- Route: Dubai → Tel Aviv
- Date: 30 September 2026
- Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
- People on board: 170 + across to sources
- Outcome: Emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; no fatalities.
This is a developing story.