New Delhi: The flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar told investigators in Saudi Arabia that he wanted to crash the plane and was
not afraid of death, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a Saudi official briefed on his interrogation.
Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, faces questioning in the UAE after authorities brought him back from Saudi Arabia. The aircraft made an emergency landing there following the cockpit attack.
The UAE attorney general said on Saturday that Hammami had attempted to carry out a terrorist act. Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Israel have investigated the incident, including possible links to outside powers, the WSJ reported.
Attack inside cockpit
Hammami allegedly struck Machchhar repeatedly with an onboard crash axe before trying to seize control of the aircraft.
Despite his injuries, the captain opened the cockpit door. Passengers and crew entered and intervened. More than 170 people were aboard the flight.
Background under scrutiny
Hammami was born to an Omani father and a Syrian mother. He lived in Dubai for years and spent time in Syria during its civil war.
Investigators have examined whether he became radicalised in Syria, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the inquiry.
His online activity has also drawn scrutiny. More than 3,000 screenshots from his deleted X account remain accessible through the Internet Archive, according to the report.
Several posts opposed women’s employment. In a December 2021 post, he said he had used a fake identity to contact Saudi women. Another said his wife would not work.
Earlier flying ban
Hammami studied aviation in the UAE before joining Oman Air, his first airline employer.
People briefed on his background told the WSJ that Oman Air barred him from flying after authorities learnt of his interest in extremist websites. He reportedly underwent a deradicalisation programme and received a desk assignment.
Moroccan state media reported that he sought employment with Royal Air Maroc in 2025. Flydubai hired him in February 2026.
Questions over recruitment
The WSJ said it could not establish what checks flydubai conducted before hiring Hammami.
People briefed on his background said Oman would have shared its information if asked. They said no other country requested details to vet him for employment.
The UAE and flydubai declined to comment during the investigation. The reported flying ban has raised questions about how Hammami later secured another cockpit role.
