Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Australia and Israel Probe Flydubai Co-Pilot After Cockpit Attack
An Omani co-pilot is accused of attacking the captain on a Flydubai flight.
The plane dropped quickly, but the injured captain managed to open the cockpit door.
Passengers restrained the co-pilot, and other pilots helped bring the plane safely to the ground in Saudi Arabia.
Australia is investigating because reports say the co-pilot studied there for two years.
Israel and the United Arab Emirates are also investigating the attack and his background.
Reports say Oman Air had earlier removed him from flying duties after concerns about extremist websites or views.
Investigators have not publicly settled why he attacked or whether anyone else was involved.
Australia’s Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team is investigating Hamam al-Hammami’s links to Australia and whether he was radicalized there.
Reports say al-Hammami received an Australian student visa in 2014, studied there from 2015 to 2017, and had his visa canceled in 2019 after leaving his course.
On September 30, the Omani co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe and tried to take control of Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
The aircraft rapidly descended; passengers restrained the co-pilot, and reserve or off-duty pilots helped land it safely in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE-led investigation and authorities in Australia and Israel are examining the attack’s motives, his background, and possible outside connections; reports describe earlier concerns about his views.
- Who
- Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani co-pilot identified by media reports; Captain Smit Machchhar was attacked.
- What
- Australia, Israel and the UAE are investigating the co-pilot’s background and the cockpit attack on Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
- When
- The attack occurred on September 30; the Australian inquiry was reported days afterward.
- Where
- The attack occurred aboard a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which landed in Saudi Arabia; investigators are working in Australia, Israel and the UAE.
- Why
- Authorities are examining the attack’s motive, al-Hammami’s background and possible connections, including whether he was radicalized in Australia.
Investigative concerns
Unresolved findings
Possible radicalization in Australia
Investigative concerns
Australian authorities are examining whether al-Hammami was radicalized during his reported studies in the country.
Unresolved findings
The articles do not establish where radicalization began; reports also say investigators are examining his background in Syria and elsewhere.
Possible external connections
Investigative concerns
Authorities are investigating whether he acted independently or had outside ties, with one report noting particular focus on Iran.
Unresolved findings
No external involvement is established in the articles, and the motive remains unclear.
Passengers’ account of crew requests
Investigative concerns
Some Israeli passengers said crew members repeatedly asked them to release the restrained co-pilot, which made them suspicious.
Unresolved findings
The reports recount the passengers’ claims but do not establish why crew members allegedly made the requests.
- Flight
- Flydubai Flight FZ1073
- Attack date
- September 30
- Australian study
- Reports say al-Hammami studied in Australia from 2015 to 2017
- Student visa
- Reportedly granted in 2014 and canceled in 2019 after he was no longer enrolled
- Aircraft descent
- Reports differ: one says more than 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds; another says more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet
- Emergency landing
- Saudi Arabia; one report identifies Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk
- Australian investigation
- Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation
- Prior flight-duty action
- The Wall Street Journal reported Oman Air barred him from flight duties after discovering visits to extremist websites
Sources
Australia Probes Flydubai Co-Pilot’s Links To Country After Terror Attack
Flydubai co-pilot studied in Australia, probe launched
Australia launches probe into flydubai incident following reports of co-pilot's link
Australia, Israel probe Omani flydubai co-pilot’s links after cockpit attack on Indian pilot
