World · Published October 3, 2026 at 10:16 AM CDT
FlyDubai Co-Pilot Attacked Captain With Ax, UAE Calls It Terrorism
What everyone agrees on
- A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the flight captain using a crash ax in the cockpit.
- The co-pilot tried to take control of the aircraft.
- A UAE official described the incident as an attempted terrorist act.
- The flight was traveling from Dubai toward Israel.
Each fact above was reported by outlets on the left, center and right.
How each side framed it
Left-leaning outlets · 2
Left-leaning outlets focused on the co-pilot's identity and unresolved questions about his motive.
Center-leaning outlets · 7
Center-leaning outlets emphasized official statements from UAE authorities labeling the attack as terrorism, with some reporting the co-pilot had prior extremism concerns flagged and including the captain's account of the struggle.
Right-leaning outlets · 2
Right-leaning outlets emphasized that the co-pilot had been previously flagged as a security risk and used the incident to discuss pilot screening and cockpit security reforms.
Still disputed
- Some outlets report the co-pilot had been flagged for extremism or security concerns before the attack, while others do not mention this.
- Only some reports identify the co-pilot by name.
Read the original reporting
- Left CBS News More details emerge about FlyDubai co-pilot who tried to crash plane Free to read
- Left NBC News Flydubai pilot identified as UAE official says he attacked captain with cockpit’s crash ax in attempted terrorist attack Free to read
- Center AP News Ax-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns Free to read
- Center BBC News Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says Free to read
- Center Bloomberg UAE Probe Labels FlyDubai Cockpit Ax Attack a Terrorist Act Paywall
- Center CNBC FlyDubai plane attack by co-pilot was an attempted 'terrorist' act, UAE says Free to read
- Center NewsNation FlyDubai pilot 'couldn't let everybody else die' in alleged hijacking Free to read
- Center Reuters Flydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe in attempted 'terrorist attack', UAE says A few free articles a month
- Center The Wall Street Journal FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attack, Says U.A.E. Paywall
- Right Fox News JACK CARR: The lesson from FlyDubai is simple. Be ready to save yourself Free to read
- Right The Washington Times Co-pilot accused in FlyDubai attack was previously flagged as a security risk, officials say Free to read
See a mistake?
A simple way to report a wrong or missing fact, with no sign-up, is coming soon. Every correction will be listed publicly.
This page was written by AI from each outlet's headline and short description, following our published rules. Always check the original reporting.