Omani Co-Pilot Suspended Over Security Concerns Before Alleged Terror Attempt

The co-pilot suspected of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight to Israel and attempting to crash the plane on Wednesday has been identified as Hammam Al-Hamami, a 29-year-old Omani citizen. Al-Hamami had previously been suspended from flying with Oman Air due to security concerns, according to ABC News, citing senior intelligence and law enforcement officials. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates confirmed for the first time on Saturday that the co-pilot attempted an act of terror, attacking the captain with an emergency axe. Sources told ABC that during his training with Oman Air in 2024, Al-Hamami was found to possess extremist materials, leading to his suspension from flying, though he was allowed to continue in an administrative role. Investigators are now trying to determine how he was subsequently hired by Flydubai and assigned to a flight to Israel despite these past findings.

The Attorney General of the UAE, Hamed Saif Al-Shamsi, stated that Al-Hamami initiated his plan during the flight, attacking the captain in the cockpit with an emergency axe and attempting to seize control of the aircraft. This marks the first official confirmation from UAE authorities regarding the captain's assault and the weapon used. Previous statements had described the incident as a "security event," with investigations exploring possibilities of terrorism or premeditated action. The Attorney General emphasized that the investigation is ongoing to clarify all circumstances, motives, and potential connections. Technical checks and analysis of physical and digital evidence are continuing, with final findings to be released later.

According to sources briefed on the investigation, Al-Hamami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE on Thursday. These sources reported that he is cooperating with investigators and stated his intention was to crash the plane in Israel. Israeli officials are expected to be involved in his interrogation. The disaster was averted when the captain, Smith Machaer, struggled with the attacker, and passengers subdued him after the plane entered a steep dive. Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun recounted pulling on the controls to stabilize the aircraft until another pilot, who was in the passenger cabin, took control. The flight ultimately landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Shota Musaev, a passenger, told ABC that the suspect identified himself as being from Oman. Musaev described the attacker as bloodied and restrained outside the cockpit, at one point asking to be killed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Friday that the suspect had undergone "Islamist radicalization" and intended to crash the plane. "We are investigating if he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office, praising Hayoun and other passengers for their actions. Background checks by ABC revealed Al-Hamami completed a degree in Aviation Management from Buckinghamshire New University in the UK in 2023, though the university confirmed he did not receive flight training there. Royal Air Maroc confirmed he completed a three-month theoretical training with them in 2025 as part of a hiring process, but did not state why he was not hired. Flydubai stated that it is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation and has temporarily suspended its flights to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities.