Incident Overview
The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain on a FlyDubai flight to Israel was previously prohibited from flying in Oman over the adoption of extremist views. ABC News and the New York Post identified the alleged attacker as Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national. He was reportedly suspended from Oman Air for being a ‘security risk.’ A source connected to the investigation stated he was banned from flying in Oman before later joining FlyDubai, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The source requested anonymity as the investigation into this cockpit attack is ongoing, prompting concerns about aviation security in the Middle East.
Vetting Questions
Officials are investigating how the suspect gained employment at FlyDubai and became the first officer on a flight to Israel. ABC News reported that during his co-pilot training at Oman Air in 2024, he was found with extremist materials and moved to an administrative role. Newsweek has not verified these claims. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot had undergone ‘Islamist radicalization,’ but he provided no supporting evidence.
“We are now investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said in a video message posted Friday.
Details of the Attack
The incident took place aboard FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Following the attack, the plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia after passengers and crew intervened. The injured captain and the co-pilot were later taken to the UAE.
Captain Smit Machchhar, praised for his actions during the attack, is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital. He recounted his ordeal in a call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the life-threatening situation in the closed cockpit.
Reports indicate that the captain managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. The Boeing 737, carrying 174 passengers and eight crew members, many of them Israeli, descended sharply.
After being restrained, the co-pilot was reportedly moved to the main cabin floor, where passengers bound him with headphones. A dentist present attended to the wounded pilot. No visible weapons were found on the aircraft.
I had so many wounds. I had fallen down,” Machchhar said, his head bandaged, as he broke into sobs. “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 suspect was transferred to the UAE and is cooperating with investigators. Sources indicated his intention was to crash the aircraft in Israel, though this has not been independently verified by Newsweek.
Travel Disruptions
The attack disrupted travel between Israel and the UAE. Emirates flights to Israel were canceled, leading to repatriation efforts for stranded travelers. Special flights were approved by Israel and the UAE to transport passengers while commercial service is halted. This route symbolizes regional normalization since the 2020 Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE.