Flydubai Co-Pilot Identified After Alleged Cockpit Stabbing on Flight to Israel

The Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has been identified in multiple media reports as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.

The incident reportedly occurred Wednesday aboard Flydubai Flight 1073, when the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Machchhar inside the cockpit and the aircraft subsequently entered a steep dive. Passengers and crew members intervened, and the aircraft was eventually brought under control and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

According to reports from The Wall Street Journal and ABC News, al-Hammami had previously been suspended from flying by Oman Air in 2024 after reportedly being considered a security concern.

Several sources familiar with the investigation told ABC News that al-Hammami, who had been working as a co-pilot trainee with Oman Air, was allegedly found in possession of extremist material. Officials reportedly allowed him to remain employed by the airline afterward, but in an administrative position rather than as a pilot.

Other reports have raised additional questions about his background. Fox News, citing a source familiar with the matter, reported that al-Hammami had allegedly visited websites associated with radical Islamic ideology. Reports have also described concerns within Oman Air about what were characterized as radical ideological views.

These claims have not, however, been established as final findings, and authorities are continuing to investigate al-Hammami’s background and the circumstances surrounding his employment.

Who Is Hamam al-Hammami?

According to The Wall Street Journal, al-Hammami had previously been prevented from flying because of concerns about his alleged ideological views before later obtaining employment with Flydubai.

People familiar with the matter told the newspaper that it remains unclear whether the concerns previously raised by Omani authorities were communicated to other countries or airlines.

ABC News reported that investigators are now examining how al-Hammami was subsequently cleared to fly for Flydubai and how he came to serve as first officer on a flight traveling to Israel.

Sources briefed on the investigation told ABC News that al-Hammami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and is cooperating with authorities. The sources also alleged that he told investigators his intention had been to crash the aircraft in Israel.

His educational background has also come under scrutiny. ABC News reported that a biography page believed to belong to al-Hammami stated that he had studied aviation management at a British university and engineering at an Australian university.

Buckinghamshire New University confirmed to ABC News that al-Hammami completed a three-year distance-learning course in aviation management and graduated in 2023. The university said the program did not provide him with pilot training.

Authorities have yet to release a complete official account of his background, previous employment or the screening procedures that preceded his hiring by Flydubai.

What Happened on Flight 1073?

The alleged attack unfolded while Flydubai Flight 1073 was traveling from Dubai toward Tel Aviv.

According to passengers and officials, al-Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. During the struggle, the aircraft reportedly entered a rapid descent.

Passengers then became involved in the emergency.

Passenger Yaniv Hayoun said he helped pull back on the aircraft’s controls to stabilize the plane. A third pilot who was traveling in the passenger cabin subsequently entered the cockpit and took control of the aircraft.

The aircraft was later diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Passenger and physician Dr. Shota Musaev told ABC News that the alleged attacker identified himself as being from Oman. Musaev said the suspect was injured and restrained outside the cockpit and reportedly asked him at one point to kill him.

Al-Hammami was subsequently transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, where authorities are continuing their investigation.

Investigation Into Possible Radicalization

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that investigators believed the suspect had undergone what he described as “Islamist radicalization.” Authorities are also examining whether anyone else may have influenced, directed or assisted the alleged attack.

The investigation is expected to focus on several key questions, including al-Hammami’s previous employment history, the security concerns reportedly identified by Oman Air, how those concerns were handled, and how he was subsequently able to obtain a position with Flydubai.

Investigators are also expected to examine the airline’s recruitment and security-screening procedures.

Flydubai said it temporarily suspended its operations to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities while the official investigation continues.

The incident has raised broader questions about pilot vetting and aviation security, particularly on flights operating routes involving Israel.

For now, many of the details surrounding al-Hammami’s background remain based on reports and statements from sources familiar with the investigation. The final conclusions will depend on findings released by authorities as the investigation progresses.