FlyDubai Pilot Barred Over Radical Views Attacked Captain, Aimed to Crash into Israel

The second pilot of a FlyDubai flight who stabbed the captain was previously grounded in Oman due to concerns over radical Islamist views, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the matter. Despite this ban, the pilot was hired by FlyDubai and allowed to fly routes connecting the UAE and Israel. The suspect, identified as Omani citizen Hamam al-Hammami, is currently under investigation in the UAE by the State Security Service, which reports directly to UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed. ABC News reported that al-Hammami is cooperating with investigators and stated his goal was to crash the plane into Israel. On October 2, Anwar Gargash, an advisor to UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed, publicly called the incident a "terrorist act" on social media. Gargash praised the Indian pilot, Smith Machhar, who, despite his injuries, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. Gargash was the first UAE official to publicly label the event a terror attack. Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry initially reported that the second pilot attacked the captain, and both were injured. After receiving medical attention, they were handed over to UAE authorities and transported to Abu Dhabi. Saudi investigative materials have also been transferred to the UAE, where a special investigative team has been formed.