The co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 attempted to carry out a terrorist attack by assaulting the captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe on Wednesday. United Arab Emirates Prosecutor General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi confirmed the incident on Saturday, according to the state news agency WAM.

A source with direct knowledge identified the co-pilot as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national, though UAE authorities did not immediately respond to a request for confirmation. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker, averting disaster on the flight carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, mostly Israeli nationals.

A reserve flydubai pilot traveling on the aircraft took control and landed at Tabuk airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot. Israeli officials stated the incident was an apparent attempt to crash the plane, which dropped about 16,625 feet in just over 30 seconds while flying over Saudi Arabia.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances, motives, and any related connections while examining physical and digital evidence. Flydubai stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident remained under investigation and it was not in a position to comment further.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel was looking into whether the co-pilot had acted under anyone's direction, warning that anyone involved would pay a heavy price, according to an Israeli government official.