FlyDubai Co-Pilot Accused of Stabbing Captain Identified as 29-Year-Old Omani National

The FlyDubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain aboard a flight bound for Tel Aviv allegedly used the cockpit’s crash axe during the incident. He has been identified as a 29-year-old Omani national.

A Middle Eastern source told Fox News that the co-pilot is Hamam al-Hammami. The source also claimed that Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, barred him from flying in 2024 over concerns about alleged extremist views.

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

The United Arab Emirates is leading the investigation into the attack aboard FlyDubai Flight 1073. Emirati authorities said the co-pilot struck Capt. Smit Machchhar with the aircraft’s crash axe, leaving him incapacitated. The plane reportedly began losing altitude before passengers intervened and helped regain control.

According to the source, al-Hammami spent much of his life outside Oman, including a period living with his Syrian-born mother.

The source further alleged that 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.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the episode an act of 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, and further details are expected as authorities continue to examine the alleged cockpit attack. Please check back for updates.