What are the five questions being asked regarding the Flydubai attack?

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported on October 4, 2026, that an attack by a Flydubai co-pilot on the captain during Flight FZ1073 has triggered scrutiny of aviation security and of the official account of events. The flight left Dubai International Airport on Wednesday morning and later made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a steep midair descent. The article said the captain, identified in media reports as Smit Machchhar, was attacked in the cockpit, and passengers were later able to restrain the co-pilot, who media identified as Hamam al-Hammami.

The report centered on several unresolved questions being discussed online and by aviation observers. These included why al-Hammami was allowed to fly despite earlier security-related concerns reported by other outlets, how he came to be assigned to the route, and what screening was done before departure. Al Jazeera also noted reports that the aircraft plunged rapidly by more than 5,180 metres in less than two minutes, raising questions about how the plane avoided a catastrophic outcome and why there were no reported serious injuries.

The article further highlighted confusion over the role of a passenger described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a plumber, who said he helped during the emergency after watching aviation crash-analysis programs. Al Jazeera said investigators were still working to establish a motive, while Israeli and Emirati officials were considering whether the attack was carried out on its own or under direction from others. The case matters because it has raised broader concerns about crew vetting, cockpit security and coordination between aviation and security authorities.