A co‑pilot on an Israel‑bound Flydubai flight allegedly attempted to seize control of the aircraft and crash it, but an initial investigation indicates he acted alone. Authorities say the 29‑year‑old, identified as Hamam al‑Hammami, did not belong to an organization or foreign government and was a “lone wolf.”
Al‑Hammami, an Omani national, has a varied background that has drawn scrutiny. He enrolled in an engineering program at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, but did not complete the qualification, and completed a distance‑learning course in aviation management at Buckinghamshire New University. Reports from Australian intelligence and the Australian Federal Police suggest he visited extremist websites and that the country’s intelligence services held a file on him. Israeli officials have also begun a review of his links to terrorist organisations.
The incident raised questions about security protocols. The Israeli prime minister said the pilot had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination and ordered an examiner to review all aspects of foreign civil aviation security to Israel. Officials noted that the Omani pilot was barred from flying in his own country due to extremist concerns, yet he was allowed to fly a flight carrying Israelis. The UAE had shared passenger and crew lists with Israel before the flight, but Israeli authorities said no red flags were raised. Shin Bet said the transportation ministry was responsible for vetting passenger lists, and the ministry claimed it relied on local security checks.
During the flight, al‑Hammami grabbed an emergency axe and slashed the captain, Smit Machchhar, causing the Boeing 737 Max to plunge 17,000 feet. The captain unlocked the flight‑deck door, allowing passengers to enter, subdue al‑Hammami, and stabilize the aircraft before an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The captain sustained severe injuries but survived. The incident has prompted a review of security procedures and the appointment of an examiner to investigate how the attacker evaded detection.
