Suspected Flydubai attack previously flagged as ‘security risk’ – THIS

A major aviation security investigation has revealed that the Omani co-pilot who allegedly attacked the captain of a Flydubai passenger plane and attempted to take control of the Israel-bound plane was reported to be training as a co-pilot with Oman Air in 2024 after being found in possession of extremist materials.

Investigators are now faced with a more troubling question: How did a man previously identified as a security risk gain access to the cockpit of a commercial plane?

The suspect, Hamam-al Hammami, had reportedly been suspended from flying for a year. Senior intelligence and law enforcement officials said the man had been banned from flying for a year.

However, instead of being removed from the airline entirely, he would be allowed to continue working in an administrative capacity.

The circumstances surrounding his departure from Oman Air and subsequent employment at Flydubai have now become a central part of the investigation.

ABC News said authorities are trying to determine what security checks were carried out before he was allowed to fly again and how he ultimately landed a position as first officer on a commercial flight to Israel.

Major media outlets had reported a near-tragic accident on Wednesday, when the Flydubai plane was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.

According to reports from officials and passengers, the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit before the plane began a rapid descent.

The captain reacted and managed to open the cockpit door, prompting passengers and crew members to rush forward.

One of the passengers, Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun, said he helped pull back the plane’s controls to stabilize it. A third pilot traveling in the passenger cabin also intervened and ultimately helped take control of the plane.

One passenger who rushed to the cockpit, Dr. Shota Musaev, said the suspect was eventually detained outside the cockpit.

Musaev said the man, who told him he was Omani, repeatedly asked to be killed, saying: “Kill me, please.”

After emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, the suspect was transferred to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for further investigation.

Sources familiar with the investigation said he cooperated with authorities and indicated he intended to crash the plane in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that the suspect had suffered what he described as “Islamic radicalization.”

Netanyahu said the suspect intended to crash the plane with all passengers on board, adding that authorities were investigating whether he had been sent by someone else.

“We are investigating whether it was sent, and whoever sent it will pay a very high price,” Netanyahu said in a video released by his office.

The Israeli prime minister also praised Hayoun and the other passengers who intervened during the attack, comparing the potential consequences to the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States.

Flydubai temporarily suspended its operations to Tel Aviv following the accident.

In a statement attributed to its chief executive, the airline said the suspension was made at the request of the authorities and will remain in place until further notice.

The airline said a full official investigation is underway and that it fully supports the authorities.

While Oman Air has not publicly commented on the allegations regarding the suspect’s previous employment, investigators are reportedly looking into the suspect’s employment history, safety assessments, aviation records and screening procedures undertaken prior to his appointment.

They are also expected to examine whether information about his previous suspension was reported to the relevant aviation authorities and whether adequate background checks were conducted when he moved from one airline to another.