Omani co-pilot planned 'terrorist act' on flydubai flight to Israel, UAE says
DUBAI, UAE — A co-pilot who attacked his captain mid-flight over the Arabian Peninsula was planning a terrorist act, according to UAE investigators. The suspect, identified by multiple outlets as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, used the cockpit's emergency axe to assault Captain Smit Machchhar before passengers and crew overpowered him and forced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The dramatic incident unfolded Wednesday on a flydubai flight bound for Israel. Initial findings from a UAE investigation, reported Saturday by the state news agency WAM, confirmed the attack was a deliberate act of terror, though investigators have not yet revealed a motive.
What happened on board the flydubai flight?
Captain Machchhar told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the assailant struck him in the back of the head after asking for time to pray, as devout Muslims do five times daily. The plane plunged roughly 17,000 feet in a single minute, according to Flightradar24 data, before passengers rushed the cockpit to help subdue the attacker.
“My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft and something is not right,” Machchhar said. “But then after that the blows kept coming one after the other. That's when I realised that it's not the aircraft, it's the other guy who was in the cockpit with me.”
The captain managed to open the cockpit door, though the co-pilot briefly shut it again. “I had that one last fight left in me,” Machchhar explained, saying he knew he faced certain death if he did not push back. “That's when I pushed against everything.”
Who is the suspect and what do we know about him?
Multiple media outlets identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Reports from The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Al Arabiya indicate Omani authorities had previously barred him from flying over concerns about extremist views. He was reportedly removed from a job at Oman's national airline last year and had spent time in Syria, raising concerns about radical influence.
ABC News, citing senior intelligence and law enforcement officials, reported the suspect was allegedly found in possession of extremist materials while still a trainee. Netanyahu has said the suspect underwent “Islamist radical indoctrination” and attempted to crash the plane.
Captain hailed as hero after attack
Captain Machchhar, an Indian national, has been widely praised for his bravery. Netanyahu invited him to Israel as a guest of honour, telling him: “You are a true hero of the brave peoples of India and Israel and you are a hero of the entire world.”
The captain was also pictured with UAE Deputy Prime Minister Hamdan bin Mohammed, who visited him at his hospital bedside. The wounded pilot's quick thinking and courage prevented what could have been a far worse tragedy.
What happens next?
The co-pilot remains in custody in the UAE. US President Donald Trump warned Thursday that if Iran is found to be linked to the attack, the country would be “hit very hard.” Netanyahu said Israel would investigate how the co-pilot was cleared to work on flights to Israel, noting that pilots from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel are normally barred from such routes.
Meanwhile, the first flight carrying Israelis home from the UAE landed in Tel Aviv after services were suspended following the attack, according to Israel's airport authority.
Why does this matter for the Philippines?
For Filipino travellers and overseas workers who frequently transit through Gulf hubs like Dubai, this incident raises important questions about aviation security and the vetting of flight crews. It also highlights the ongoing tensions in the Middle East that can affect regional air travel. Filipino aviation authorities will likely review their own protocols in light of these revelations, even as the UAE and its neighbours tighten their security measures.
As the investigation continues, the heroism of Captain Machchhar serves as a reminder that ordinary people can make extraordinary choices in moments of crisis. His story resonates far beyond the cockpit, touching on themes of courage, duty, and the resilience of the human spirit.