Flydubai Co-Pilot Identified As Omani National After Alleged Attempt To Crash Israel-Bound Flight | Sahara Reporters

According to reports, the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia when al-Hammami allegedly attacked the captain inside the cockpit.

The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai passenger aircraft and allegedly attempting to crash the Israel-bound flight has been identified as 29-year-old Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national.

The identification was reported by the Associated Press as investigators continued probing the September 30 incident involving Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 people aboard.

According to reports, the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia when al-Hammami allegedly attacked the captain inside the cockpit.

The incident sent the aircraft into two sudden dives, with flight-tracking data indicating that it plunged more than 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds.

The captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, reportedly managed to fight off the co-pilot and unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene.

Two off-duty pilots who were travelling as passengers subsequently helped regain control of the aircraft.

The plane was eventually diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot.

He was later transferred to the United Arab Emirates for further questioning as part of the investigation.

Reports have also emerged that al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying in Oman after concerns were raised about his views and possession of extremist material.

ABC News, citing senior intelligence and law-enforcement officials, reported that al-Hammami had been working as a co-pilot trainee with Oman Air in 2024 when he was found to possess extremist materials.

He was reportedly grounded for a year but subsequently continued working for the airline in an administrative capacity.

The Associated Press separately reported that a person familiar with the matter said al-Hammami had been barred from flying in Oman over concerns that he had adopted extremist views.

Questions have consequently been raised about how he was later employed by Flydubai and cleared to serve as a co-pilot on an international flight bound for Israel.

The United Arab Emirates is leading the investigation into the incident, while Israeli investigators are also expected to participate. Reuters reported that authorities were examining what happened during the flight and investigating the suspect’s motives and background.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the incident as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft and said investigators were examining whether the suspect acted alone or was directed by others. Israeli officials have also raised the possibility of extremist motivation, although the investigation into the suspect’s motives remains ongoing.

Flydubai Chief Executive Ghaith Al Ghaith said the airline was supporting the official investigation and stressed the need to allow authorities to establish the facts surrounding the incident.

The incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of pilot vetting and aviation security procedures, particularly concerning how an individual previously flagged by authorities could subsequently obtain employment as a commercial airline pilot.

Authorities have yet to publicly establish the full circumstances surrounding al-Hammami’s recruitment by Flydubai or whether anyone else was involved in the alleged attack.