Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Flydubai Co-Pilot Was Previously Flagged Over Extremism Concerns
A Flydubai co-pilot named Hamam al-Hammami is accused of attacking the captain of a flight and trying to take control of the plane.
News reports say Oman had earlier raised concerns about his views.
Some reports say he was removed from flying duties at Oman Air.
The reports have led to questions about how he was later hired by Flydubai.
Investigators are looking into the hiring and safety checks.
They are also still examining why the incident happened and whether he had any links to others.
The articles do not give the investigation’s final conclusions.
News18 reports that Omani national Hamam al-Hammami was accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flight FZ1073 and trying to seize control.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Oman had previously banned al-Hammami from flying over concerns about radical ideological views.
AP and ABC News reported that he was identified as a security risk and removed from flying duties while at Oman Air.
The reports have raised questions about how he was later hired by Flydubai and cleared to operate a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight.
Investigators are examining security and vetting procedures while continuing to investigate his motives and possible links.
- Who
- Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, Flydubai co-pilot, was accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar.
- What
- He was accused of trying to seize control of Flight FZ1073; reports say Oman had previously flagged him over concerns about his views.
- When
- The article does not state when the alleged incident occurred; it says the concerns in Oman dated back years.
- Where
- Flight FZ1073 was described as a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight.
- Why
- Investigators are examining his motives and possible links; no motive is established in the article.
- Co-pilot
- Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national
- Airline
- Flydubai
- Flight
- FZ1073, described as a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight
- Allegation
- He was accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar and attempting to seize control of the flight.
- Previous concerns
- Reports said Oman had flagged him over concerns about radical ideological views.
- Earlier flying duties
- AP and ABC News reported that he was removed from flying duties while working with Oman Air.
- Investigation
- Investigators are examining security vetting, motives, and possible links.