DUBAI — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 and attempting to seize control of the aircraft has reportedly been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national who had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged extremist views.

The United Arab Emirates has not publicly released the co-pilot's name. However, multiple people familiar with the investigation identified him to international news agencies as Hamam — also spelled Hammam — al-Hammami. Reuters reported that two sources with knowledge of the case identified him as an Omani national, while the Associated Press cited three people familiar with the situation.

UAE describes incident as attempted terrorist attack

The UAE's Prosecutor General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, said investigators had determined that the co-pilot attempted to carry out what authorities described as a “terrorist attack” aboard Flight FZ1073.

According to UAE authorities, the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit using a crash axe, an emergency tool normally kept on aircraft, and attempted to take control of the plane's flight controls. Investigators are continuing to examine the motive, circumstances surrounding the incident and any possible connections.

The incident happened on September 30, 2026, while the Flydubai flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

Flight-tracking data reviewed by Reuters showed that while flying through Saudi airspace, the aircraft suddenly turned and made two sharp descents. During the most severe drop, it lost more than 16,000 feet in just over 30 seconds. The aircraft later transmitted emergency and unlawful-interference signals before diverting to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia.

Captain seriously injured as passengers intervene

The captain was seriously wounded during the cockpit attack. Reuters reported that despite his injuries, he managed to unlock the cockpit door while on the floor, allowing passengers to enter and confront the co-pilot.

Several passengers helped overpower and restrain the accused co-pilot. A passenger then helped stabilise the aircraft before two off-duty Flydubai pilots travelling on board took control and safely landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

The Associated Press reported that there were 182 people aboard the aircraft and that passengers and others intervened before the aircraft could crash. The captain and co-pilot were both injured and were later taken to the UAE.

The captain has been identified as Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot.

Co-pilot was reportedly barred from flying in Oman

Fresh details about al-Hammami's aviation history have raised questions over how he was later able to obtain a flying position with Flydubai.

According to the Associated Press, a regional official and another person familiar with the investigation said al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying in Oman because of concerns that he had adopted extremist views.

He was reportedly transferred to an administrative position at Oman Air. The sources did not provide details about the specific views that had caused concern.

He was subsequently hired by UAE-based Flydubai.

A Gulf diplomat cited by AP said al-Hammami had undergone standard security checks before being hired. However, the diplomat said those checks appeared to focus largely on whether he had criminal convictions rather than conducting a deeper examination for possible signs of radicalisation.

Flydubai has said a full investigation is underway and has acknowledged that many questions surrounding the incident remain unanswered.

Previous aviation career also under scrutiny

Al-Hammami's employment and training history is also being examined.

Royal Air Maroc told the Associated Press that he completed a three-month theoretical training programme in 2025 as part of the airline's pre-employment process. His application was ultimately not selected for employment.

Buckinghamshire New University in England also confirmed that al-Hammami had completed a distance-learning course in aviation management, but stressed that he had not received pilot training from the university.

Reuters separately reported that he had trained with Royal Air Maroc but was not ultimately hired by the airline.

Motive remains under investigation

Despite the UAE authorities' description of the incident as an attempted terrorist attack, investigators have not publicly established the full motive.

The Associated Press reported that security agencies from four regional countries were working on the investigation with assistance from the United States and other Western governments.

According to a Gulf diplomat cited by AP, investigators had not found links between the co-pilot and organised militant groups at the time of reporting, potentially indicating that he may have acted independently. The investigation, however, remains ongoing.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly alleged that the co-pilot had undergone Islamist radicalisation, but Reuters and AP noted that he did not provide evidence supporting that assertion. Israeli officials have also said that a final motive has not yet been determined.

The UAE investigation is continuing to examine physical and digital evidence, the co-pilot's background, possible motives and whether anyone else was connected to the incident.

Authorities are expected to release further findings once the investigation is completed.

Sources

·         Reuters — “What do we know about Flydubai Flight 1073?”

·         Associated Press — reporting on the Flydubai Flight FZ1073 investigation

·         UAE authorities / public prosecutor statements

·         Gulf News — UAE prosecutor statement on the alleged attempted terrorist act