Omani Pilot Identified as 'Religious Extremist' in Flydubai Hijacking Attempt

The co-pilot of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv who allegedly attempted to hijack the plane with an axe has been identified as Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national described as a 'religious extremist.' Al Hammami had reportedly been demoted to an administrative role by Oman Air in 2024 after extremist materials were found with him.

According to reports, Al Hammami studied aviation management via a distance-learning course at Buckinghamshire New University in the United Kingdom, graduating in 2023. He also pursued engineering studies in Australia. Officials are investigating how he was cleared to fly for Flydubai and occupy a cockpit position on a flight heading to Israel.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when Al Hammami allegedly attacked his colleague, Captain Smit Machchhar, with an axe before attempting to seize control of the aircraft. Passengers and crew members onboard Flight FZ1073, carrying 182 people from Dubai, reacted swiftly to subdue the attacker. During the struggle, the plane plummeted approximately 14,000 feet in under a minute, causing severe turbulence and prompting an emergency landing.

The flight was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia after being denied landing clearance by Jordan. Air traffic control operators did not provide reasons for the initial refusals. Al Hammami was arrested in Saudi Arabia and is reportedly cooperating with interrogations.

Captain Machchhar sustained severe injuries but was hailed for his bravery in fighting off the attacker and attempting to maintain control of the aircraft. Passengers, including an off-duty British pilot and an Israeli passenger named Yaniv Hayun, are credited with subduing Al Hammami and preventing a potential catastrophe. Hayun recounted how he intervened after hearing screams and finding the captain injured on the floor of the cockpit, with the assailant attempting to interfere with the plane's controls. Hayun stated he helped restrain the attacker and briefly adjusted the controls to level the aircraft, crediting his actions to watching aviation disaster documentaries.

Following the passenger intervention, another pilot on board was able to take full control, and the plane eventually landed safely. Aviation safety experts noted the remarkable recovery from the steep dive, emphasizing that the aircraft's survival was dependent on regaining altitude above a critical point. Flydubai has suspended flights to and from Israel pending the outcome of its investigation into the incident.