Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Flydubai Attack Raises Questions About Security Warning-Sharing
A report says there was an attempt to take control of a Flydubai plane.
The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar.
The report says Oman had concerns about the co-pilot and had barred him from flying for Oman Air.
It also says Israel received information about the crew before the flight but did not raise a warning.
Captain Machchhar was praised for helping stop the incident.
The case has led to a security and intelligence investigation.
Yaakov Amidror said there was no established international system requiring countries to share this kind of concern.
The report raises questions about how safety information is shared between countries.
An alleged attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 prompted a security and intelligence probe.
Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar and tried to seize control.
Reports say Oman had concerns about al-Hammami’s extremist views and barred him from flying for Oman Air.
Israel reportedly received crew information before the flight but did not flag the co-pilot.
Former Israeli national security adviser Yaakov Amidror said no established international process required countries to share such concerns.
- Who
- Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami and Indian captain Smit Machchhar; Yaakov Amidror commented on the case.
- What
- An alleged attack and attempt to seize control of a flight prompted a security and intelligence probe.
- Where
- Aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073; the article does not specify the flight's location.
- Why
- The incident raised questions about vetting and the sharing of security concerns between countries.
Concerns About Security Gaps
Limits on International Information-Sharing
Whether warning signs were missed
Concerns About Security Gaps
The report says Oman had concerns about al-Hammami and that Israel received crew information but did not flag him, raising questions about vetting and security failures.
Limits on International Information-Sharing
Yaakov Amidror said there was no established international process requiring countries to share such concerns, suggesting that information may not have been passed between authorities.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Alleged co-pilot
- Hamam al-Hammami, described as Omani
- Captain
- Smit Machchhar, described as Indian
- Reported prior concern
- Omani authorities had reportedly identified concerns about al-Hammami’s extremist views.
- Reported employment restriction
- Al-Hammami was reportedly barred from flying for Oman Air.
- Israeli information
- Israel reportedly received crew information before the flight but did not flag the co-pilot.
- Amidror's assessment
- He said there was no established international process requiring countries to report such concerns to one another.