Flydubai attacker previously Barred by Oman from flying Over Radical Views, Fan of Osama bin Laden, told investigator he intended to crash Aircraft in Israel
The co-pilot who attacked the captain of a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and nearly brought down the aircraft has been identified as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. Multiple reports state that Omani authorities had earlier barred him from flying over concerns he had adopted extremist views, raising serious questions about aviation security and background checks.
On the morning of September 30, Flydubai flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying around 174–182 passengers and crew, was roughly two and a half hours into its journey when chaos erupted in the cockpit. The co-pilot allegedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to crash the plane. Flight data showed the aircraft plunging more than 17,000 feet in under two minutes. The jet transmitted a distress signal and the international hijacking code (squawk 7500) before being diverted for an emergency landing at Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. All on board survived.
Despite serious injuries and being on the cockpit floor, Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door. Passengers and crew, including off-duty pilots travelling as passengers, rushed in, overpowered the attacker and helped stabilise the aircraft. Two reserve pilots who were on board later assisted in landing the plane safely.
Captain Machchhar, who has more than a decade of flying experience including years with SpiceJet before joining Flydubai, later told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a hospital video call that he realised the aircraft was descending and pushed himself to open the door. “I was fighting for my life… but I also knew I couldn’t let all of them die,” he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as a “true hero” whose “extraordinary bravery” prevented a catastrophic mid-air disaster and saved the lives of everyone on board.
Al-Hammami, an Omani citizen born in the United Arab Emirates to an Omani father and Syrian mother, had previously trained as a co-pilot with Oman Air. According to reports citing intelligence and law-enforcement sources, he was found in possession of extremist materials or flagged for radical views in 2024. Oman Air removed him from flying duties and moved him to an administrative role. He later worked briefly with Morocco’s Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai about eight months before the incident. Some reports also state that he spent time in Syria, where he was allegedly exposed to extremist ideas.
Sources briefed on the investigation have said al-Hammami told authorities he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel. Israeli officials have described the episode as involving Islamist radicalisation. Social media accounts linked to him reportedly contained images of al-Qaeda figures, including former leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, and videos showing Israeli aircraft. Those accounts were later deleted.
Al-Hammami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates, where he faces a terrorism investigation. UAE authorities have launched a formal probe to determine the circumstances, motives and whether the attack involved prior planning or external direction. It remains unclear whether Oman shared its earlier concerns about al-Hammami with the UAE or with Flydubai when he was hired. Aviation security analysts have described the episode as a significant failure in vetting and information-sharing.
Flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv pending the investigation. Captain Machchhar is recovering and has been widely praised in India, Israel and beyond for his actions. Investigations by UAE, Israeli and other authorities continue.
