A Flydubai co-pilot, identified as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly attacked an Indian captain during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had previously been flagged as a security risk and suspended from flying by Oman Air. This revelation comes from a report citing senior intelligence and law enforcement officials, shedding light on the alarming mid-air emergency.
The incident occurred on flight FZ1073. Captain Smit Machchhar, despite being wounded, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and subdue al-Hammami. The plane, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members, experienced a rapid descent of over 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds while over Saudi Arabia. A reserve crew on board successfully landed the aircraft at Tabuk airport.
Co-Pilot's Troubling Background
According to officials, al-Hammami was found in possession of extremist materials in 2024 while working as a co-pilot trainee for Oman Air. Following this discovery, he was suspended from flying duties but controversially allowed to continue in an administrative role with the airline.
Investigations are now focused on understanding how al-Hammami was permitted to fly for Flydubai, especially as a first officer on a flight destined for Israel, given his documented security concerns.
Intent to Crash Plane: Israeli Officials
After the incident, al-Hammami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United States and is reportedly cooperating with authorities. He has indicated an intention to crash the plane in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the co-pilot had undergone "radical Islamist indoctrination" and appeared suicidal. "It looks very likely that he was going to down the plane," Netanyahu remarked, linking this with the co-pilot's "Islamist tendencies" and "radicalization." Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz further described al-Hammami as a terrorist whose objective was to crash the aircraft.
Captain Machchhar is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital. He recently recounted the harrowing experience in a video call, stating, "I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up… then passengers would lose their lives."
The incident has prompted Israel to consider tightening pilot screening measures, and Israeli investigators are expected to join the UAE's ongoing investigation to ascertain motives and any potential wider connections.