Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Flydubai Co-Pilot Attack Probe Examines Posts and Background
A flydubai plane was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when a co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain.
The captain was hurt but managed to open the cockpit door.
Other people on the plane helped restrain the co-pilot.
The plane dropped sharply, and it later landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The captain and the co-pilot were taken to hospitals.
Reporters say online accounts linked to the co-pilot showed troubling images and statements.
But they could not confirm who made the posts or whether the accounts were really his.
Reports also say he had previously been stopped from flying in Oman.
Authorities are investigating what happened and why.
Reports allege co-pilot Hamam Alhammami attacked the cockpit crew aboard a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flydubai flight.
CNN reported that now-deleted accounts linked to Alhammami featured al-Qaeda figures, cockpit footage, and misogynistic views; account authenticity and authorship were not confirmed.
The co-pilot was reportedly barred from flying in Oman over concerns about extremist views, but later worked for flydubai.
Captain Smit Machchhar was injured during the confrontation and opened the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene and restrain the co-pilot.
The aircraft made a sharp descent and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia; reports differ on the number aboard and the lowest altitude reached.
- Who
- Flydubai co-pilot Hamam Alhammami is accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar; passengers and crew reportedly intervened.
- What
- An alleged cockpit attack and sharp aircraft descent, followed by intervention and a safe diversion.
- When
- Earlier this week; the articles give no specific date.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The motive has not been established; reports say investigators are examining possible motives and the co-pilot's background.
Allegations and reported concerns
Unverified claims and open questions
Social media accounts
Allegations and reported concerns
CNN reported that accounts linked to Alhammami showed al-Qaeda figures, cockpit footage, and posts expressing misogynistic views.
Unverified claims and open questions
The accounts were deleted, and the report said their authenticity could not be verified; it was also unclear whether someone else made or scheduled the posts.
Motive and direction
Allegations and reported concerns
Reports suggested the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft in Israel; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described him as having undergone Islamist radicalisation.
Unverified claims and open questions
The articles say the motive remains under investigation; Netanyahu did not publicly provide evidence for his claim, and he said investigators were examining whether someone else directed the attack.
Recruitment and prior flying restriction
Allegations and reported concerns
Reports say Oman had prevented the co-pilot from flying over concerns about alleged extremist views before he was employed by flydubai.
Unverified claims and open questions
The articles raise questions about flydubai's background checks but provide no findings establishing what checks were conducted or whether they were inadequate.
- Airline and route
- flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Aircraft
- Boeing 737, according to one report
- People aboard
- Reports differ: one says over 170 people, including 24 children; another specifies 182 total, including 174 passengers and eight crew.
- Diversion
- The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- Reported descent
- One account says the aircraft dropped from about 34,000 feet to about 15,600 feet; another reports a low point around 16,600 feet.
- Online posts
- CNN reported accounts linked to the co-pilot included images of al-Qaeda figures, cockpit footage, an AI-generated image, and misogynistic statements; authenticity and authorship were not verified.
- Oman
- Reports say the co-pilot had been prevented from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged extremist views.
- Captain's condition
- Captain Smit Machchhar was injured and is reported to be recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi.
