Archive · 7 Oct 2026
FlyDubai Co-Pilot’s Training and Career Examined After Alleged Attack
Authorities are investigating a serious incident on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
They say co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami allegedly attacked the captain with an ax.
The plane dropped more than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds, according to flight-tracking data.
Passengers and a reserve crew member helped stop the co-pilot and steady the aircraft.
The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
Investigators are looking into al-Hammami’s education, travel, and aviation jobs.
He trained in New Zealand for a UK-based company and also studied in Australia.
New Zealand police are investigating how he spent his time there.
The company now known as Acron Aviation says it will assist with the investigation.
Hamam al-Hammami, 29, allegedly attacked the captain with an ax aboard a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight on Sept. 30.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft plunged more than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds.
The plane, carrying more than 170 passengers, landed safely in Saudi Arabia after passengers and a reserve crew member intervened.
Al-Hammami trained in New Zealand from November 2018 to May 2019 for a UK-based company, and The Telegraph reported he trained with L3 Airline Academy.
Authorities are examining his background; New Zealand police are investigating his activities there, and Acron Aviation has said it will assist.
- Who
- FlyDubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami and the captain, identified as Smit Machchhar.
- What
- Al-Hammami is accused of attacking the captain with an ax during a flight; authorities are examining his background and training.
- When
- The flight incident was on Sept. 30; the article does not specify the year. His New Zealand flight training ran from November 2018 to May 2019.
- Where
- The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed at a regional airport in Saudi Arabia. Al-Hammami also trained in New Zealand and the UK.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating his education, travel, and aviation career following the alleged cockpit attack.
- Co-pilot
- Hamam al-Hammami, 29
- Flight route
- Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Incident date
- Sept. 30; year not specified in the article
- Reported altitude drop
- More than 14,000 feet in 30 seconds
- Passengers aboard
- More than 170
- New Zealand training
- November 2018 to May 2019
- Earlier education
- Enrolled at RMIT University in Melbourne from 2015 to 2017; did not complete an engineering qualification, according to the report
- Previous airline
- Oman Air; the report says he was dismissed over concerns about his radical views