29-Year-Old Omani Flydubai Co-Pilot Accused of Stabbing Captain

The FlyDubai first officer accused of assaulting the captain during a flight to Tel Aviv allegedly used the cockpit’s crash axe in the attack. He has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national.

A Middle Eastern source told Fox News that al-Hammami had been barred from flying for Oman Air, the country’s national carrier, in 2024 amid concerns over alleged extremist views.

The source said investigators believe al-Hammami relocated to Dubai later in 2024.

The United Arab Emirates, which is overseeing the investigation into the incident aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073, said the co-pilot struck Capt. Smit Machchhar with the aircraft’s crash axe. The attack reportedly left the captain incapacitated and sent the plane into a steep descent before passengers intervened and helped regain control.

The source also said al-Hammami spent much of his life outside Oman, including a period living with his Syrian-born mother.

According to the source, FlyDubai did not contact Oman Air to review al-Hammami’s employment history before hiring him.

A Gulf diplomat told The Associated Press that investigators are examining whether al-Hammami acted alone or had ties to an extremist organization.

MUST READ: Republicans are expressing concerns about Vice President Kamala Harris – NewsFinale

The AP separately reported that Oman had prohibited al-Hammami from flying because of concerns that he had embraced extremist beliefs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the incident as terrorism on Friday and said the alleged attacker had undergone “Islamic radicalization.”

“He came to crash the passengers on board,” Netanyahu said, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The investigation remains ongoing. Check back for additional updates as more information becomes available.