2 hrs ago
Flydubai Co-Pilot Studied Aviation Management at UK University
A co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attacked the captain while the plane was in the air.
The UAE prosecutor general said the co-pilot tried to take control of the aircraft.
The captain and others helped stop the situation from becoming worse.
The plane lost more than 17,000 feet before it was brought under control and landed in Saudi Arabia.
There were 174 people on board.
A UK university said the co-pilot had completed a distance-learning aviation management course there, but did not train him to fly.
Investigators are trying to learn why the attack happened and whether anyone else was involved.
Some officials have raised possible links to outside groups or countries, but the report says those questions are still being investigated.
Buckinghamshire New University said Hamam al Hammami completed a distance-learning aviation management course there, but received no pilot training from the university.
The incident occurred Wednesday aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with 174 people on board.
The UAE prosecutor general said al Hammami attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an axe and tried to take control of the aircraft.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane losing more than 17,000 feet before the situation was brought under control; it later made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Investigators are examining al Hammami’s motive and whether he acted alone or had links to an extremist group; public claims about possible outside links remain unconfirmed in the report.
- Who
- Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al Hammami and Captain Smit Machchhar; 174 people were aboard.
- What
- Al Hammami allegedly attacked the captain and tried to take control of the aircraft.
- Where
- Aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Wednesday; the article does not give a calendar date.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; investigators are examining it and whether al Hammami acted alone or had links to an extremist group.
Claims of Outside Involvement
Unresolved Investigation
Possible links or direction
Claims of Outside Involvement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and that investigators were examining whether he was sent. US President Donald Trump said early information suggested possible links to Iran.
Unresolved Investigation
The report says investigators are still determining whether al Hammami acted alone or had connections to an extremist group, and are examining his motive; no outside involvement is established in the article.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- People aboard
- 174
- Reported course
- Distance-learning aviation management course at Buckinghamshire New University
- University clarification
- The university said al Hammami did not undertake pilot training there.
- Reported altitude loss
- More than 17,000 feet
- Emergency landing
- Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Emergency signal
- 1:32 am ET (11:02 am IST)
Quotes
Buckinghamshire New University spokesperson
Spokesperson for Buckinghamshire New University
“Our thoughts are with the injured pilot, crew and passengers involved in this incident, Hamam al Hammami previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management. He did not undertake any pilot training at the University.”
livemint.com
Sources
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