A major aviation security investigation has revealed that the Omani co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain of a Flydubai passenger aircraft and attempted to take control of the Israel-bound jet was flagged while training as a co-pilot with Oman Air in 2024 after being found in possession of extremist materials.
Investigators are now facing a more troubling question: how did a man previously identified as a security risk gain access to a commercial aircraft cockpit?
The suspect, Hamam-al Hammami, had reportedly been grounded from flying for one year. Senior intelligence and law enforcement officials said the man was grounded from flying for one year.
However, rather than being removed entirely from the airline, he was reportedly allowed to continue working in an administrative capacity.
The circumstances surrounding his departure from Oman Air and subsequent employment with Flydubai have now become a central part of the investigation.
ABC News said authorities are trying to determine what security checks were carried out before he was permitted to fly again and how he eventually obtained a position as first officer on a commercial flight bound for Israel.
Major news outlets had reported a near-tragic incident on Wednesday, when the Flydubai aircraft was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to accounts from officials and passengers, the co-pilot allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit before the aircraft entered a rapid descent.
The captain fought back and was able to open the cockpit door, prompting passengers and crew members to rush forward.
One of the passengers, Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun, said he helped pull back on the aircraft’s controls to stabilise the plane. A third pilot who was travelling in the passenger cabin also intervened and eventually helped take control of the aircraft.
One passenger who rushed towards the cockpit, Dr. Shota Musaev, said the suspect was eventually restrained outside the cockpit.
Musaev said the man, who told him he was from Oman, repeatedly asked to be killed, saying, “Kill me please.”
Following the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, the suspect was transferred on Thursday to the United Arab Emirates for further investigation.
Sources briefed on the investigation said he has been cooperating with authorities and indicated that he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that the suspect had undergone what he described as “Islamist radicalization.”
Netanyahu alleged that the suspect intended to crash the aircraft with all passengers aboard, adding that authorities were investigating whether he had been sent by someone else.
“We are investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said in a video released by his office.
The Israeli prime minister also praised Hayoun and the other passengers who intervened during the attack, comparing the potential consequences to the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
Flydubai has temporarily suspended its operations to Tel Aviv following the incident.
In a statement attributed to its chief executive officer, the airline said the suspension was made at the request of the authorities and would remain in place until further notice.
The airline said a full official investigation was under way and that it was fully supporting the authorities.
While Oman Air has not publicly commented on the allegations concerning the suspect’s previous employment, investigators are reportedly examining the suspect’s employment history, security assessments, aviation records and the screening procedures undertaken before his appointment.
They are also expected to examine whether information about his previous suspension was communicated to relevant aviation authorities and whether adequate background checks were conducted when he moved between airlines.
