Australia Investigating Flydubai Co-Pilot's Links After Attack
Authorities are examining the co-pilot's past in Australia after he allegedly attacked the captain on a flight to Israel.
Australian authorities are investigating the links between the country and a Flydubai co-pilot who is alleged to have attempted to take control of a plane traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed its investigation into "the man's links to Australia," involving state police and the country's security agency.
Sources familiar with the case indicate the co-pilot, identified by multiple media outlets as Hamam al-Hammami, was issued a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017. His visa was reportedly canceled in 2019 as he was no longer enrolled in a course. Counter-terrorism officials are reportedly examining whether the man was radicalized in Australia.
The incident occurred on September 30, when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe approximately two and a half hours into the flight. The plane, carrying over 170 passengers, plunged 17,000 feet before passengers and reserve pilots managed to overpower the assailant and regain control. The captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, was injured and required hospitalization.
Two reserve pilots successfully landed the aircraft safely in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was arrested following the emergency landing and is reportedly being questioned by Saudi authorities. The United Arab Emirates prosecutor general stated that investigations are underway to establish the circumstances, motives, and any potential links to the incident, characterizing the co-pilot's actions as an attempt at a "terrorist act."
Further details have emerged regarding the co-pilot's employment history. Reports suggest that while previously employed by Oman Air, he was removed from flight training due to concerns over radical views. He also reportedly studied on a distance-learning aviation management course at Buckinghamshire New University in the UK from 2020, graduating in 2023. The university stated he did not undertake any pilot training there.