FlyDubai co-pilot attacks captain before passengers subdue him and plane lands safely
Developed over time first seen 3 days ago
A FlyDubai co-pilot attacked the captain with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to seize control of Flight FZ1073 bound for Tel Aviv. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker, and the plane landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after descending 14,000 feet in 29 seconds. The incident raises critical questions about airline security screening and how potential red flags are missed during the hiring process.
Omani national Hamam Al Hammami, 29, had previously been removed from flying duties at Oman Air in 2024 after concerns he may have been radicalised through time spent in Syria. He was later hired by FlyDubai apparently without deeper background checks beyond standard security screening, which focused only on criminal convictions. The flight carried 182 people, and the UAE is investigating whether Al Hammami acted as a lone wolf or had connections to extremist groups.
- Co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe; passengers subdued him.
- Flight dropped 14,000 feet in 29 seconds but landed safely.
- Attacker had been flagged for extremist concerns at previous airline.
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FlyDubai is a low-cost airline based in the United Arab Emirates. On a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 182 passengers aboard, the aircraft's first officer – the pilot who ranks second in command in the cockpit – attacked the captain using a crash axe, a specialised emergency tool kept in the cockpit.
The assault caused the aircraft to descend rapidly, but passengers managed to enter the cockpit and help subdue the attacker. The crew regained control and diverted to land the aircraft safely, triggering an emergency investigation.
The incident raises questions about how airlines vet their crew members and what security measures protect the cockpit. Authorities are examining what allowed the first officer to operate the flight and whether there were any weaknesses in cockpit security.
Full account
A FlyDubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv was the site of an in-flight assault when the co-pilot attacked the aircraft's captain in the cockpit using the emergency axe. The captain sustained injuries in the altercation. Passengers and crew members responded swiftly to subdue the assailant, allowing them to regain control of the aircraft. The plane was subsequently landed safely in Saudi Arabia. The flight carried over 170 individuals on board. Two reserve pilots assumed command of the aircraft for the final descent and landing.
The co-pilot involved has been identified as Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old of Omani nationality born in the United Arab Emirates. His mother is Syrian whilst he acquired Omani citizenship through his father. Al Hammami had previously served in a training capacity at Oman Air but was removed from flight operations in 2024 after concerns emerged regarding his ideological alignment with extremist movements, connected to his time in Syria. Following his removal from flying duties, he was assigned to administrative ground-based work. He subsequently gained employment with FlyDubai, though the scope of background vetting performed remains unclear. Records indicate he obtained a degree in aviation management through distance education from a British university in 2023 and pursued engineering studies at an Australian institution, though the British establishment provided no pilot instruction.
Investigators are currently establishing whether the incident constitutes a terrorist act and determining whether Al Hammami operated as an independent actor or maintained connections to organised extremist movements. The security screening process undertaken by FlyDubai prior to recruitment appears to have been limited, focusing on criminal convictions rather than comprehensive assessment of potential radicalisation indicators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterised the co-pilot as having undergone 'Islamist radical indoctrination' and suggested the attack was fundamentally suicidal in design, noting the assailant demanded death once subdued. The UAE's chief prosecutor has stated that investigations remain ongoing to clarify the complete circumstances and underlying motives of the incident.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, sustained injuries during the cockpit assault and received initial medical treatment before being transferred to Abu Dhabi, where authorities report him to be in stable condition and recovering well. The Indian government publicly acknowledged the captain's courageous response. The co-pilot was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE on Thursday and is understood to be cooperating with investigators.
Where outlets differ
Descent figures: Source 1 states a 17,000ft decline over 2.5 hours; Source 2 describes a 14,000ft plummet in 29 seconds—likely representing different phases of descent rather than contradictory measurements
Syria emphasis: Source 2 explicitly highlights the co-pilot's time in ISIS-controlled territory as crucial to his removal from Oman Air; Source 1 references only 'radical views' without geographic specificity
Intervention detail: Source 2 identifies a British off-duty pilot among those who subdued the attacker; Source 1 attributes intervention to passengers and crew generally without naming individuals
Biographical detail: Source 2 provides fuller family background (Syrian mother, birth in UAE); Source 1 identifies him as Omani without elaborating on family origins
Educational background: Source 2 mentions engineering studies at an Australian university in addition to the British degree; Source 1 focuses solely on the British qualification
Vetting process: Source 2 explicitly critiques the limitations of FlyDubai's recruitment screening; Source 1 treats this as an outstanding investigative question
Coverage
- BBC World — Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking captain during flight to Tel Aviv
- Daily Mail — Omani FlyDubai first officer accused of attacking colleague on Israel-bound flight