The man accused of attacking a pilot and attempting to seize control of a Flydubai passenger aircraft has been identified as 29-year-old Omani national Hamam Al Hammami, as investigators examine how he came to occupy the cockpit of a flight bound for Israel.
The incident occurred on Wednesday aboard Flight FZ1073, which was carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft was forced into an emergency diversion to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent confrontation unfolded inside the cockpit.
Al Hammami Had Previously Worked With Oman Air
According to reports cited by ABC News, Al Hammami had been working as a co-pilot trainee with Oman Air in 2024 when extremist-related material was reportedly discovered in his possession.
Sources said he was subsequently removed from the pilot-training role and transferred to an administrative position.
Investigators are now examining how he was later able to work for Flydubai and ultimately serve as a first officer aboard an international passenger flight.
Al Hammami reportedly completed a three-year distance-learning degree in aviation management in 2023. Buckinghamshire New University has reportedly confirmed that he studied there but did not receive pilot training from the institution.
He is also understood to have studied engineering at a university in Australia.
Investigators Examine Alleged Hijacking Attempt
The prosecutor general has said an axe was allegedly used during the attempt to take control of the aircraft, while reports indicate that the captain was also seriously injured during the confrontation.
The aircraft experienced a dramatic loss of altitude, reportedly dropping around 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds as passengers and crew struggled to restrain the alleged attacker.
The plane transmitted the international emergency code 7700 before briefly switching to squawk 7500, which indicates unlawful interference or a suspected hijacking.
Passengers Rushed to Stop the Attack
Passengers and crew members are being credited with preventing what could have become a major aviation disaster.
Among those who intervened was Israeli passenger Yaniv Hayoun, who has described forcing his way into the cockpit after hearing another passenger shouting that a pilot was being attacked.
Hayoun said he found the captain seriously wounded while the alleged attacker was near the aircraft’s controls. He then grabbed and restrained the man before other passengers joined him.
The group eventually tied the suspect up and prevented him from interfering further with the cockpit.
Passenger Helped Stabilise the Aircraft
Hayoun also said he briefly reached for the controls when he realised the aircraft was pointing sharply downward.
He explained that his familiarity with aviation disaster documentaries helped him understand that pulling the controls back could help raise the aircraft’s nose.
He stressed that he did not consider himself capable of flying the aircraft and that his intervention lasted only seconds before an off-duty pilot was able to take over.
The actions of the passengers and crew gave the aircraft enough time to recover from the dangerous descent.
Captain Praised After Suffering Serious Injuries
Captain Smit Machchhar has also been praised for his actions during the incident despite suffering severe injuries.
Distressing images from the aftermath showed the captain lying on the cockpit floor covered in blood while passengers attempted to assist him.
India’s embassy in Saudi Arabia confirmed that Machchhar was receiving treatment at a hospital in Tabuk.
Aviation experts later described the aircraft’s safe landing as remarkable, particularly amid reports that part of its rudder had been damaged during the extreme manoeuvre.
Flight Diverted After Saudi and Jordan Clearance Confusion
During the emergency, the crew reportedly issued a mayday call stating that a hijacking was taking place and that medical assistance would be required.
The aircraft initially encountered difficulties securing permission to land in Saudi Arabia and was reportedly directed toward Jordan. It was then told to await clearance before eventually returning to Saudi airspace and landing in Tabuk.
The reasons for the initial difficulty obtaining landing clearance have not been publicly explained.
Suspect Reportedly Cooperating With Investigators
Al Hammami was transferred from Saudi Arabia to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, according to reports, and is said to be cooperating with investigators.
Authorities are expected to examine his background, previous employment, training history and the security procedures that allowed him to gain access to the cockpit.
The investigation is also expected to establish exactly how he came to be employed by Flydubai despite the concerns reportedly raised during his previous aviation role.
Israel Describes Incident as Terror Attack
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the incident as an attempted jihadist terror attack, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the passengers who intervened.
Hayoun was later welcomed by Netanyahu after returning to Israel and was hailed for his role in helping subdue the alleged attacker.
The incident has raised fresh questions about aviation security and the safeguards used to screen personnel with access to commercial aircraft.
Flydubai Suspends Israel Flights
Flydubai announced that it was suspending flights to and from Israel while the circumstances surrounding the incident are investigated.
The full circumstances of the alleged attack, including the suspect’s motive and how he obtained access to the flight deck, remain under investigation.
Authorities are continuing to piece together the events that led to the aircraft’s sudden descent and the dramatic intervention by passengers and crew.
