AFP confirms investigation of flydubai co-pilot's Australian links

Posted Sun 4 Oct 2026 at 11:13amSun 4 Oct 2026 at 11:13am, updated Sun 4 Oct 2026 at 11:32amSun 4 Oct 2026 at 11:32amThe United Arab Emirates are leading a probe into the alleged attempt to crash a flydubai plane. (Reuters: Ammar Awad)In short:The Australian Federal Police is investigating Australian links to a flydubai pilot who allegedly attacked a colleague in the cockpit.The pilot was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash the plane on Wednesday.What's next?The investigation is being conducted by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO.The Australian Federal Police (AFP) says it is investigating Australian links to a flydubai pilot who allegedly attacked a colleague in the cockpit.The pilot, Smit Machcharr, was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash the flydubai plane on Wednesday. The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, including diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media.The jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet (4,267 metres) in less than 30 seconds in the incident.The flight bound for Tel Aviv was carrying 174 people and was forced to divert to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing.Investigation by joint counterterrorism teamThe investigation is being conducted by the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, comprising the AFP, Victoria Police and ASIO, an AFP spokesperson said.An AFP spokesperson said an update would be provided "at an appropriate time".Sources close to the issue have confirmed the co-pilot was issued a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017, whereafter he left the country.His visa was cancelled in 2019. The ABC understands his visa was not cancelled on character grounds, but due to his lack of enrolment in a course, rendering him ineligible for a student visa.The ABC understands the Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation will examine whether the man was radicalised while in Australia.ABC/AP