How was the Flydubai pilot who attacked his co-pilot cleared to fly?

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Flydubai Co-Pilot Attacks Captain With Crash Axe on Tel Aviv Flight

   An Israel-bound Flydubai flight suffered a violent cockpit brawl after the Omani co-pilot attacked the Indian captain with a crash axe. The aircraft dropped 16,000 feet during the struggle before diverting to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Passengers and crew subdued the attacker. UAE officials classified the incident as an attempted terrorist attack, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the co-pilot underwent Islamic radicalization.

   Why it matters

   The violent episode on the Tel Aviv-bound aircraft highlights severe vulnerabilities in flight deck security and international aviation safety. Israeli leadership framed the cockpit assault as an averted major catastrophe, comparing it to historical terror plots. Investigators are now reviewing how the suspect maintained his flight clearance despite regional security concerns.

   What is confirmed

   • A Flydubai co-pilot attacked the flight captain using a crash ax and tried to take control of the aircraft in an Israel-bound flight.
   • UAE prosecutors identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national.
   • The aircraft diverted to Saudi Arabia following the cockpit brawl.
   • Passengers and others helped subdue the attacker in the cockpit.
   • The injured captain was identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The co-pilot was previously barred from flying by Oman because of extremist views.
   • Leaflets supporting Free Palestine were found in the possession of the co-pilot.
   • The airplane dropped 16,000 feet before landing in Tabuk.

   What to watch next

   • Official findings from aviation and security investigators regarding the background and security clearance of Hamam al-Hammami.
   • Further diplomatic statements from Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel regarding the hijacking attempt.
   Sources used for this update (18)

   1. Reuters — Israel-bound flight diverted to Saudi Arabia after brawl between pilots, Israeli official says
   2. The New York Times — Passenger Who Helped Subdue Pilot Describes Bloody Scene in Cockpit
   3. The New York Times — Who Is the FlyDubai Pilot Being Hailed as a Hero?
   4. CNN — Captain Smit Machchhar: The ‘jovial’ pilot and father who thwarted the Flydubai attacker
   5. The Washington Post — A harrowing cockpit attack leaves investigators scrambling for answers
   6. Al Jazeera — How was the Flydubai pilot who attacked his co-pilot cleared to fly?
   7. BBC — 'He's taught us courage': Friend on Indian pilot hailed as a hero
   8. Reuters — Israeli passenger says he knew what to do on flydubai plane after watching TV show
   9. Fox News — Pilot on Tel Aviv-bound FlyDubai 'prevented another 9/11,' Netanyahu says
   10. Axios — Netanyahu: Omani co-pilot went through Islamic radicalization
   11. www.nbcnews.com — Flydubai pilot attacked captain with cockpit’s crash axe in attempted terrorist attack, UAE official says
   12. nypost.com — Flydubai co-pilot used crash ax to hack at pilot in attempted ‘terrorist attack’: UAE official
   confidence 95%