A FlyDubai co-pilot, identified as a 29-year-old Omani national named al-Hammami, is facing accusations of violently assaulting his captain during a flight bound for Tel Aviv earlier this week, reportedly using the cockpit's emergency 'crash axe'.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates, which are spearheading the investigation into FlyDubai Flight 1073, stated that the co-pilot incapacitated Captain Smit Machchhar with the crash axe. This severe assault caused the aircraft to enter a rapid descent before passengers on board successfully intervened and regained control of the plane.
Reports indicate that al-Hammami, 29, spent a considerable portion of his life outside Oman, including time residing with his mother, who is from Syria. It is also believed that he later relocated to Dubai.
Investigation and Prior Concerns
A diplomat from the Gulf region informed The Associated Press that investigators are actively working to ascertain whether al-Hammami acted independently or if he maintains any affiliations with extremist organizations.
Separately, The Associated Press reported that Omani authorities had previously prohibited al-Hammami from flying due to apprehensions regarding his adoption of extremist viewpoints. Furthermore, sources suggest that FlyDubai did not consult Oman Air concerning al-Hammami's background before his employment.
Israeli Prime Minister's Reaction
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the incident as an act of terrorism on Friday, asserting that the assailant had undergone a process of "Islamic radicalization." According to The Wall Street Journal, Netanyahu stated that al-Hammami "came to crash the passengers on board."
