2 hrs ago
Co-Pilot Rejected by Two Airlines Before Flydubai Cockpit Attack
A co-pilot named Hammam Al Hammami had previously been stopped from flying by Oman Air and was not hired by Royal Air Maroc after training.
The article says both airlines had concerns, though Royal Air Maroc did not explain its decision.
Flydubai later hired him as a co-pilot.
On September 30, 2026, he allegedly attacked pilot Smit Machchhar during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The plane went into a steep dive during the struggle.
Machchhar fought back, and passengers helped stop the co-pilot.
The plane was stabilized and landed in Saudi Arabia.
The co-pilot was arrested, and Machchhar was seriously injured.
The co-pilot, identified as Hammam Al Hammami, was reportedly grounded by Oman Air in 2025 over concerns about extremist online content.
Royal Air Maroc confirmed he completed three months of theoretical training but was not selected for employment; it did not provide details.
Flydubai hired him as a co-pilot in February, about a month after his application was rejected by Royal Air Maroc.
On September 30, 2026, he allegedly attacked pilot Smit Machchhar with a cockpit axe aboard a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight.
Machchhar and passengers subdued the co-pilot; the aircraft was stabilized and landed in Saudi Arabia, where the attacker was arrested.
- Who
- Co-pilot Hammam Al Hammami, pilot Smit Machchhar, and passengers aboard a flydubai flight.
- What
- Al Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar and tried to take control of the aircraft; the passengers helped subdue him.
- Where
- A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; it later landed at an airbase in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- September 30, 2026.
- Why
- The article reports that the co-pilot had previously been grounded or rejected over concerns including extremist online content, but it does not establish a definitive motive for the alleged attack.
Airline decisions
What the article establishes
Royal Air Maroc's rejection
Airline decisions
The article reports that the co-pilot was blocked from flying for similar concerns after training.
What the article establishes
Royal Air Maroc confirmed his application was not selected after theoretical training but did not disclose the reason.
Flydubai's hiring
Airline decisions
The article characterizes his hiring after prior airline concerns as an apparent security failure and a lack of background checks.
What the article establishes
The article reports that flydubai hired him in February, but provides no response from the airline about its hiring checks.
Key facts
- Aircraft route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Incident date
- September 30, 2026
- Alleged weapon
- A cockpit axe
- Passengers and crew
- About 174 people were aboard, according to the article.
- Oman Air
- The co-pilot was reportedly grounded in 2025 over concerns about extremist online content.
- Royal Air Maroc
- It confirmed he completed three months of theoretical training in 2025 and was not selected for employment.
- Outcome
- The aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia and the co-pilot was arrested.
Quotes
Shota Musaev
Israeli dentist and passenger who helped the injured pilot
“Smit saved our lives. Smit is a hero, and I thank him for everything he did to save my family and all the passengers. It's karma, he saved our lives, and we saved his life.”
NDTV
Sources
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