Flydubai Co-Pilot Cooperating With Israel-Bound Flight Investigation

Sources close to the investigation told ABC News that the Omani co-pilot involved in the Flydubai incident, which was en route to Tel Aviv, is cooperating with investigators. These sources indicated that his intention was to crash the plane in Israel. The co-pilot's name is reportedly Hammām al-Hammāmī. According to the sources, al-Hammāmī was found with "extremist materials" in 2024 while working as a trainee co-pilot at Oman Air. Despite this, he was permitted to continue working for the airline in an administrative role. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the pilot had previously been suspended from flying in Oman due to concerns he had "adopted an extremist ideology." Sources cited in that report suggested this allowed him to fly on the sensitive route between the UAE and Israel. It remains unclear if Oman informed other countries about the concerns raised regarding the co-pilot, or the specific nature of his radicalization path. Israeli reporter Baruch Yedid also published additional details, with UAE sources telling i24NEWS that the Omani pilot was introverted, unsociable, and a devout extremist. The source added that it is still unclear if he specifically requested to join flights to Israel. The source cautioned against immediately attributing the incident to Iran, stating it is too early to determine if it was planned by an organization or state. Meanwhile, the UAE Public Prosecutor has ordered the formation of a team to examine the incident and its circumstances. A high-ranking Emirati official also met with the Sultan of Oman.