Australian security agencies are investigating the background of the Flydubai co-pilot who allegedly tried to hijack a flight to Tel Aviv, after sources said he spent about two years in the country as a student, irishtimes.com reported. Disaster was narrowly averted on Wednesday when 182 passengers and crew intervened to stop the attack on Flight 1073, which plunged 5,067 metres in just over 30 seconds.
Australian counter-terrorism team probes co-pilot background
The co-pilot, identified by numerous media outlets as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, was granted an Australian student visa in 2014 and arrived to begin a university course the following year, according to a source familiar with the case cited by irishtimes.com. He left Australia in 2017, and authorities cancelled his visa in 2019 after confirming he was no longer enrolled. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) confirmed on Sunday that the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team—comprising the AFP, Victoria Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)—is probing his connections to the country.
US media outlets including CNN reported that a now-deleted LinkedIn profile stated al-Hammami studied engineering at an Australian university. Meanwhile, Buckinghamshire New University in Britain stated that a student named Hamam al-Hammami had previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management at the institution, adding that he undertook no pilot training there.
Co-pilot attacks pilot with crash axe mid-flight
The UAE’s prosecutor general stated that the co-pilot used an emergency crash axe in the attempted terrorist attack, during which the pilot was stabbed mid-air. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the suspect had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination” and attempted to crash the plane.
Flight 1073’s Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, told Netanyahu in a phone call that the co-pilot had asked to pray shortly before the attack, thetimesofisrael.com reported. Four or five minutes later, Captain Machchhar was struck from behind with a heavy blow. Despite partial blindness from his injuries and the aircraft plummeting, the captain managed to give the cockpit doorknob a quick twist to open it. Passengers, including Yaniv Hayun, rushed the cockpit, subdued al-Hammami, and forced an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Flydubai suspends flights following cockpit attack
Flydubai suspended all flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv until further notice following the incident. The Omani co-pilot and Captain Machchhar were taken to the UAE, which is leading the investigation with participation from several countries including Israel. The Wall Street Journal reported that al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying by Oman over concerns regarding extremist views, leading to his reassignment to an administrative job at Oman Air prior to being hired by Flydubai.
Frequently Asked Questions
What aircraft was involved and how many people were onboard?
The incident involved a Flydubai flight traveling to Tel Aviv carrying 182 passengers and crew members.
Where did the flight make its emergency landing?
The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, located in northwestern Saudi Arabia, after passengers and crew subdued the attacker.
Which carrier operated the first return flight to Tel Aviv?
Israeli carrier Arkia operated the first flight carrying Israelis home from the United Arab Emirates after services were suspended, landing at Ben Gurion Airport shortly after 1 am local time.
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