Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami is accused in an attempted terror attack on a Flydubai flight to Israel; barred from flying in Oman over extremist views.
A flydubai co‑pilot has allegedly attacked the captain and attempted to crash flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Sept. 30. Passengers and off‑duty crew have overpowered and restrained him, the jet has made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE has opened a terrorism investigation while questions remain about the suspect’s background.
The UAE-led inquiry has identified Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, as the co-pilot involved in the September 30 incident on Flight FZ1073. Passengers and crew overpowered him after he attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit ax. Investigators are examining motive, vetting procedures, and possible links as countries coordinate on security responses.
A Flydubai co-pilot has attacked the captain with an axe during a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight. Passengers overpowered him; the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Investigations into links with Australia and possible radicalisation are under way in multiple countries.