The Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a passenger flight has been identified by multiple reports as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. The incident occurred aboard Flydubai Flight 1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after the alleged cockpit attack.
Reports about al-Hammami’s previous employment have also raised questions about how he was cleared to work as a pilot despite earlier concerns reportedly raised by Oman Air.
What is known about Hamam al-Hammami?
According to reports by The Wall Street Journal and ABC News, Oman Air suspended al-Hammami from flying in 2024 after he was reportedly considered a security concern.
Sources cited by ABC News said that while working as a co-pilot trainee, al-Hammami was found with extremist material. He was subsequently moved to an administrative position, according to the reports.
Fox News, citing a source familiar with the matter, separately reported that al-Hammami had allegedly visited websites containing radical Islamic material. The reports said he later moved to Dubai. Sources also said he had spent significant periods outside Oman, including time with his Syrian-born mother.
Did Oman Air previously ground al-Hammami?
The Wall Street Journal reported that al-Hammami had been prevented from flying because of concerns that he had adopted radical ideological views. It remains unclear whether those concerns were formally communicated to other airlines or authorities before he was later employed by Flydubai.
Investigators are now examining how al-Hammami was subsequently cleared to fly commercially and how he came to serve as first officer on a flight travelling to Israel.
What is his education background?
A biography page believed to be associated with al-Hammami reportedly states that he studied aviation management at a British university and engineering at an Australian university.
Buckinghamshire New University confirmed to ABC News that a person matching his details completed a three-year distance-learning aviation management course and graduated in 2023.
The university said the course did not involve pilot training. Details concerning his aviation qualifications, employment history and security screening remain part of the ongoing investigation.
What happened on Flydubai Flight 1073?
The alleged attack took place on Wednesday while Flight 1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to passengers and officials, al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to enter a steep dive.
Machchhar reportedly fought back while passengers helped restrain the co-pilot. Passenger Yaniv Hayoun said he assisted with the aircraft’s controls to help stabilise the plane before another pilot travelling in the passenger cabin took over. The aircraft eventually landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
What happened to the co-pilot?
Another passenger, Dr Shota Musaev, told ABC News that the suspect identified himself as being from Oman. Musaev said the co-pilot was later restrained outside the cockpit and had sustained injuries. He also reportedly asked Musaev to kill him.
Al-Hammami was subsequently transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, where authorities are continuing their investigation. Sources cited by ABC News said he has been cooperating with investigators and indicated that he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel.
Investigation into possible radicalisation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the suspected attacker had undergone “Islamist radicalization” and that authorities were investigating whether another person or organisation had directed him.
The allegations remain subject to the official investigation. The incident has also raised questions about pilot screening and aviation security, particularly regarding how al-Hammami was able to obtain a flying position after concerns had reportedly been raised during his time at Oman Air.
Flydubai has temporarily suspended flights to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities while the investigation into the incident continues.
