What is the story about?
The co-pilot suspected of attacking the captain of a FlyDubai flight bound for Israel has been identified as 29-year-old Hamam Al Hammami, an Omani national
who had previously been pulled from flying duties by Oman Air after being flagged as a security concern. Multiple officials familiar with the investigation told ABC News that back in 2024, while Al Hammami was training as a co-pilot for Oman Air, he was discovered to be carrying extremist materials. Rather than being removed from the airline entirely, he was shifted into an administrative position, where he continued working.
Hammami's Goal Was to Crash the Plane in Israel
Investigators are still piecing together exactly how someone flagged for possessing extremist material managed to later get cleared to fly for FlyDubai, ultimately ending up as first officer on a flight headed toward Israel.Al Hammami was moved from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday and is reportedly cooperating with investigators. Sources briefed on the case reportedly say he's indicated his goal was to deliberately crash the plane somewhere over Israel.
In a statement issued Friday and attributed to its CEO, FlyDubai confirmed it had temporarily paused all flights to Tel Aviv at the request of authorities, pending further notice. The airline said a full investigation led by relevant authorities, with FlyDubai's complete cooperation, is now underway.
How Passengers Stopped a Potential Disaster
The situation could have ended in catastrophe had the flight's captain, Smit Machchhar, not fought back, along with several passengers who managed to subdue and restrain the attacker after he sent the aircraft into a sudden, dangerous dive.Yaniv Hayoun, an Israeli plumber who was on board, said he grabbed the controls himself and worked to stabilize the plane until a third pilot, who happened to be traveling as a passenger, stepped in and took over. The aircraft eventually made a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
A Passenger Recalls the Chaos
Dr. Shota Musaev, one of several passengers who rushed toward the cockpit during the struggle, told ABC News this week that the attacker, bloodied and pinned to the floor outside the cockpit at that point, told him he was from Oman. Musaev recounted a particularly disturbing moment during the encounter, saying the suspect repeatedly begged to be killed.Israeli Officials Point to Radicalization
Israeli officials are expected to take part in questioning Al Hammami going forward. On Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the incident without naming the suspect directly, saying the attacker had undergone what he described as Islamist radicalization.In a video statement released by his office, Netanyahu said the man intended to crash the plane with everyone on board, adding that authorities are working to determine whether he acted alone or was sent by someone else, warning that whoever was responsible would face serious consequences. Netanyahu also praised Hayoun and the other passengers who intervened, crediting them with preventing what he called a tragedy on the scale of 9/11.
