Flydubai Co-Pilot Accused of Attacking Captain Had Faced Earlier Security Concerns

A Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound flight had previously been barred from flying in Oman over security concerns, according to reports citing officials and people familiar with the matter.

UAE investigators said the co-pilot wielded an emergency crash ax and attempted a “terrorist attack” aboard Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was carrying 182 people, including four pilots. Captain Smit Machchhar said the attack began after the co-pilot left his seat to pray and then repeatedly struck him from behind.

Despite his injuries, Machchhar unlocked the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower the attacker. Another pilot took control and landed the aircraft safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the suspect was detained before being transferred to UAE custody.

The Guardian identified the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, and reported that investigators believe he may initially have planned an attack for July before postponing it. Authorities are investigating whether he acted alone or had links to an extremist organization.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Oman had barred Hammami from flying over concerns about radical ideological views. CNN reported that he was removed from a position at Oman’s national airline in 2025 over concerns about extremist views. It remains unclear whether those concerns were shared with Flydubai before it hired him.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hammami intended to crash the aircraft and had undergone Islamist radicalization. The investigation is continuing across several countries.