Flydubai Co-Pilot Attempt to Seize Control Mid-Flight Results in Crew Intervention; Multi-National Inquiry Launched
Developing story first seen 1 hour ago
Further details have emerged about the Omani co-pilot's background following the 30 September incident. Australian authorities are now investigating his links to Australia, where he held a student visa from 2014, studying between 2015 and 2017 before it was cancelled in 2019. Counter-terrorism officials are examining whether he was radicalised during his time in Australia. Additionally, records show he was removed from Oman Air flight training due to concerns over radical views, and was completing a distance-learning degree from Buckinghamshire New University in the UK from 2020, graduating with an aviation management degree in 2023.
On 30 September, Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, attacked the captain with a crash axe on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying over 170 passengers. The aircraft descended 17,000 feet before passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot and regained control. Captain Smit Machchhar, who was injured, managed to open the cockpit door from inside, allowing passengers to intervene. Two reserve pilots then safely landed the plane in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was arrested and is being questioned by Saudi authorities, whilst the UAE prosecutor general's office is investigating the incident as an attempted "terrorist act".
- Co-pilot attacked captain with axe on 30 September Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv
- Passengers overpowered him and regained control; plane diverted to Saudi Arabia safely
- Counter-terrorism officials investigating potential radicalisation during his Australia studies
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A Flydubai aircraft was the subject of a security incident during a scheduled flight when a co-pilot attempted to take control of the plane. The captain was attacked during this incident, and crew members and passengers intervened to prevent the co-pilot from succeeding. The aircraft was safely brought under control and landed without further incident.
Flydubai is a low-cost airline based in the United Arab Emirates with operations across the Middle East and beyond. A multi-national investigation has been launched following the incident, with UAE prosecutors leading the inquiry and authorities from Australia and the United Kingdom also involved. The co-pilot is from Oman, and investigators are examining his personal background and potential exposure to extremist ideology.
Aviation security depends fundamentally on the trustworthiness and psychological stability of cockpit crew, making incidents involving attempts by crew members to compromise that security deeply concerning. Authorities worldwide have become increasingly attentive to potential radicalisation of aviation personnel, given the catastrophic consequences such incidents could entail. Cases like this typically prompt reviews of crew vetting procedures and in-flight security protocols to ensure such incidents are prevented in future.
Full account
A Flydubai aircraft en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on 30 September experienced a serious security breach when co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, attacked the flight's captain with an emergency crash axe whilst at cruising altitude. The assault occurred roughly two and a half hours into the flight, which carried more than 170 passengers. The attacker was quickly subdued by crew members and passengers who intervened to prevent further violence. Discrepancies exist between reports regarding the aircraft's descent during the incident, with one account citing a 14,000-foot drop over 29 seconds, whilst another indicates a 17,000-foot descent.
Prior to the attack, al-Hammami completed an aviation distance-learning degree at Buckinghamshire New University in 2023. During his studies, his social media accounts contained extremely inflammatory content, including statements advocating violence against women and apparent endorsement of military aggression. Further posts attributed to his profile, uploaded shortly after the incident, featured footage from aircraft cockpits and references to al-Qaeda figures. Investigation into his employment history revealed that whilst working as a trainee pilot for Oman Air in 2024, he was removed from flight duties due to concerns about potential radicalisation stemming from time spent in Syria. He was subsequently reassigned to administrative work.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian national, sustained serious injuries during the axe assault but managed to regain control of the situation. Despite his wounds, he forced open the cockpit door from the inside, enabling passengers to assist in overpowering al-Hammami. Two reserve pilots among the passengers successfully landed the aircraft in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar received initial treatment at a local medical facility before being transferred to Abu Dhabi, where he is reported to remain in a stable condition.
Following the emergency landing, al-Hammami was taken into custody and remains under interrogation by Saudi authorities. The United Arab Emirates' prosecutor general has commenced an official investigation, characterising the incident as a potential terrorist act. Separately, Australian authorities launched an inquiry into al-Hammami's connections to the country, following disclosures that he held an Australian student visa and studied there between 2015 and 2017. His visa was cancelled in 2019 when he ceased formal enrolment.
Where outlets differ
Altitude loss measurements: Source 1 reports 14,000 feet over 29 seconds; Source 2 states 17,000 feet
Geographic emphasis: Source 1 focuses extensively on extremist ideology and British university background; Source 2 emphasises Australian connections, official emergency response procedures, and multi-jurisdictional investigations
Identification approach: Source 2 notes Australian authorities had not officially named the co-pilot, whilst international media outlets had done so
Characterisation: Source 2 explicitly attributes 'terrorist act' designation to the prosecutor; Source 1 provides indicators of radicalisation through social media content
Coverage
- Daily Mail — Flydubai hijacker called for women to be ‘stomped on’ in religious rants while studying at British university
- BBC World — Australia investigating Flydubai co-pilot’s links to country
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