Co-pilot in FlyDubai incident is identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, tell me about this news today
03-10-2026
The co-pilot involved in the mid-air attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 has been identified by authorities and international intelligence reports as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami.
Business TodayKey Details of the IncidentThe Attack: On September 30, during a scheduled flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv carrying over 170 passengers and crew, al-Hammami attacked and stabbed the flight’s captain, Indian national Smit Machchhar, inside the cockpit.
The Siasat DailyThe Descent and Struggle: Following the assault, the aircraft experienced a sudden, steep descent. Despite sustaining severe injuries, Captain Machchhar fought back and managed to unlock or open the cockpit door. Passengers and off-duty crew members rushed into the flight deck, overpowered al-Hammami, and restrained him.
The Siasat Daily+ 1Emergency Landing: The Boeing 737 diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely, and Saudi authorities took al-Hammami into custody before transferring him for further investigation.
The Siasat Daily
Prior Red Flags: Reports indicate al-Hammami had previously been flagged and barred from flying by Oman Air / Omani authorities due to concerns over extremist or radical ideological material and views.
Business TodayAviation Background: He reportedly graduated aviation training around 2023, briefly worked for Royal Air Maroc, and had been employed by Flydubai for roughly eight months prior to the incident.
Current Focus of Investigation: Multilateral security agencies and aviation regulators are investigating whether he acted as a “lone wolf” or had external ties, while also scrutinizing how vetting and security clearance protocols failed to catch his prior suspensions before he was hired as a commercial airline pilot.