The investigation into the terrifying Flydubai hijacking attempt has taken a new turn. Reports have revealed that the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in a bid to hijack the plane had previously been flagged as a security risk by authorities in Oman.
The suspect, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, was working as a co-pilot trainee with Oman Air in 2024 when he was found in possession of material that raised extremist concerns. According to senior intelligence and law-enforcement sources cited by ABC News, he was suspended from flying for a year but was allowed to continue working for Oman Air in an administrative capacity.
The Wall Street Journal separately reported that Oman had barred him from flying because of concerns over radical views. Other reports have said investigators are now examining how he subsequently obtained employment with Flydubai and was cleared to serve as first officer on an Israel-bound passenger flight. That question has become one of the most important aspects of the investigation.
On September 30, Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot attacked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently entered a rapid descent, dropping thousands of feet. Despite suffering serious injuries, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to intervene and overpower the hijacker. The aircraft was eventually diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Authorities are now investigating not only what happened inside the cockpit but also the suspect’s background, recruitment and security clearance. The UAE has opened an investigation into the circumstances and motive, including whether the incident had any connection to terrorism or involved prior planning or direction.
Reports that the suspect had previously been flagged have intensified scrutiny of aviation-security procedures. ABC News reported that investigators are specifically trying to understand how someone previously identified as a security risk was later permitted to fly commercially for another airline.
There is also a significant correction regarding flight suspensions. Flydubai temporarily suspended all flights to and from Israel, allowing authorities to investigate the incident and establish the facts. Emirates also suspended its codeshare operations with Flydubai between the UAE and Tel Aviv.
Israel has simultaneously moved toward tighter security screening of pilots flying into the country. Reuters reported that Israeli authorities intended to increase checks on pilots operating flights to Israel, while the UAE-led investigation examines how the Omani national came to be assigned to the Tel Aviv route.
The episode has raised a serious question, how did a pilot who had reportedly been grounded over his extremism eventually find himself inside the cockpit of a commercial aircraft carrying 174 people to Israel?
