DOMINANT ANGLE
Hanoi is reconstructing the attack in the cockpit of flight FZ1073 minute by minute and is praising the passengers and reserve pilots who saved the plane, more than it is debating the terrorist qualification.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Emirati Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi stated on October 3 that the Omani co-pilot had attempted a "terrorist act" with the emergency axe (VnExpress).
- 02
According to flight data examined by Reuters, the plane lost over 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds before landing in Tabuk (Tuoi Tre News).
- 03
Indian commander Smit Machchhar told Netanyahu he opened the cockpit door despite being beaten, and two reserve pilots then landed the plane (VnExpress).
ANALYSIS
Hanoï, October 4, 2026. VnExpress and Tuoi Tre News are treating the Flydubai FZ1073 flight as a survival story, based on foreign sources and onboard testimonies.
Tuoi Tre News, in English, is following the chronology of Reuters. The flight, with over 170 people on board, mostly Israelis, left Dubai at 03:05 GMT. At 05:21 GMT, in Saudi airspace, the plane suddenly turned and dove twice, losing over 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds during the most marked drop. The transponder remained cut off for nearly half an hour, according to an Israeli official. The plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The text also notes "what is not clear": the exact sequence of events on board.
VnExpress is covering the judicial aspect. Emirati Attorney General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi stated on October 3 that the Omani co-pilot had attempted to carry out a "terrorist attack" by striking the commander with the emergency axe to take control. The newspaper recalls that Benjamin Netanyahu initially mentioned a switchblade. According to Saudi media, the co-pilot is Hamam al Hamami, 29, an Omani national. He was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the Emirates on October 2. Investigators are examining his motive and relationships, and the results will be published after verification.
The newspaper is dedicating an article to Indian commander Smit Machchhar, who recounted the attack to Netanyahu by phone on October 3. The co-pilot had asked to pray; the commander turned away out of respect, then received a violent blow to the back of the head. He says he initially thought it was a plane malfunction before understanding that the danger came from the cockpit. His colleagues tried to enter the opening code, but the co-pilot prevented them. He claims to have opened the door by force, because "otherwise, I would have died".
Another article highlights the two reserve pilots ("deadheading") who were present to bring the plane back from Tel Aviv to Dubai. Flydubai has not disclosed their identities. A passenger, Daniel Schlichter, in an interview published on October 4, explains that they were there for this sole reason. They took control and landed the plane.
The two media outlets are not addressing the security control flaws mentioned in Israel, nor the suspension of Emirati flights to Israel.
