A Flydubai co-pilot with a prior flight ban in Oman attempted to crash a plane carrying 182 people on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The attacker was overpowered by passengers and crew after the captain opened the cockpit door, preventing a disaster that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared to the September 11 attacks.
Hamam al-Hammami had a flight ban in Oman
CNN identified the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother. The Wall Street Journal first reported that al-Hammami had a flight ban in his native Oman. According to CNN, al-Hammami worked for Oman Air for seven years but was removed from flight training and moved to a different position due to concerns over his radical views.
A LinkedIn profile linked to the suspect by CNN sources indicated he left Oman Air in February 2025. He subsequently worked for Royal Air Maroc before joining Flydubai, where an Israeli source says he served for approximately eight months. The profile has since been deleted. AP reports it remains unclear how thoroughly Flydubai vetted the co-pilot before hiring him.
Did you know? A colleague of the attacker told Israeli Channel 16 that al-Hammami exhibited “very strange behavior,” specifically regarding religious practices, such as praying frequently and refusing to shake hands with women.
Cockpit struggle on Flight FZ 1073
During the flight on Wednesday, al-Hammami attacked Indian captain Smit Macchar in the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently entered a steep dive, losing more than 4,200 meters of altitude in less than 30 seconds.
Captain Macchar managed to open the cockpit door despite his injuries. This action allowed passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the passengers tied the suspect up using a headphone cable. Two off-duty pilots who were traveling as passengers then took control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
One witness reported that the co-pilot shouted “Allahu akbar” during the incident, though other passengers did not confirm this. Following his capture, the suspect reportedly pleaded, “Kill me, kill me,” leading Netanyahu to suggest the attempt was a suicide mission.
Captain Smit Macchar receives treatment in Saudi Arabia
Captain Smit Macchar is currently receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh reports he is in stable condition. Shota Musaev, a dentist and passenger on the flight who assisted in treating the pilot, told CNN that Macchar suffered “massive blood loss” and lost consciousness due to a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Macchar, a father of two, previously spent 11 years with the Indian airline SpiceJet. His former instructor, Philip Kean, told CNN that the pilot’s actions saved everyone on board, noting that another 30 seconds of the dive could have resulted in total loss of life.
Evidence of Islamist indoctrination
Prime Minister Netanyahu told Fox News that investigators recovered personal materials indicating al-Hammami underwent Islamist radical indoctrination. Israeli officials told The Times of Israel that the suspect had used social media to propagate jihadist ideology and spoke about killing Jews.
CNN reports that videos and content with extremist motives appeared on social media accounts under al-Hammami’s name after the attack. However, it is not yet verified who posted the content or if the posts were scheduled in advance.
Flight Status: Despite the incident, Flydubai has maintained its scheduled flights for the following days, which the company reports are fully booked.
Flight FZ 1073 incident details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | FZ 1073 |
| Route | Dubai to Tel Aviv |
| Emergency Landing Site | Tabuk, Saudi Arabia |
| Passenger Count | 182 people |
Common questions about the Flydubai attack
Who is the suspect in the cockpit attack?
The suspect is Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani citizen and Flydubai co-pilot who previously worked for Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc, according to CNN.
Why was the co-pilot banned from flying in Oman?
CNN reports that al-Hammami was removed from flight training at Oman Air due to concerns regarding his radical views.
Where is Captain Smit Macchar now?
He is recovering in Saudi Arabia in stable condition after suffering severe blood loss during the struggle, according to the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
The authorities of the United Arab Emirates are leading the investigation with the participation of other countries. An official motive for the attack has not yet been established by the investigating agencies.
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