Flydubai co-pilot named as Captain Smit foils mid-air cockpit attack

US media reports identified Hamam al-Hammami as the flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar and trying to seize the cockpit. The episode, which ended with an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, has intensified scrutiny of his background and possible extremist motive.Image used for representational purposes onlyNewyork,Oct 3, 2026 17:02 ISTUS media reports have identified an Omani citizen, Hamam al-Hammami, as the flydubai co-pilot who attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar and allegedly tried to take control of a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight this week. The incident left Machchhar seriously injured, but the aircraft landed safely in Saudi Arabia after an emergency descent.The motive remains unclear. The UAE, which is leading the investigation, said on Saturday it was examining the full circumstances of the incident, including whether it was linked to any "terrorist activity or purpose". Officials have not yet publicly disclosed the co-pilot's identity, though several international media outlets have named him.According to reports, the attack took place on flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday, when the co-pilot allegedly used a crash axe, which is usually kept in the cockpit for emergencies, to attack Machchhar. Despite his injuries, the captain fought back and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to step in and overpower the attacker. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, transmitted emergency signals and dropped more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before two reserved pilots landed it safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was taken into custody.The Wall Street Journal, quoting people familiar with the matter, reported that al-Hammami had earlier been barred from flying in Oman because of concerns over his radical ideological views. "The alleged attacker is an Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami," the report said. CNN, citing two sources and an Israeli official, also identified him as Hamam al-Hammami and said he was born in the UAE to an Omani father and a Syrian mother, and had spent several years of his life in the UAE. CNN also cited a regional diplomat as saying al-Hammami was removed from flight training because of concerns over his radical views and was later given another role at Oman's national airline. It was not immediately clear how thoroughly he was vetted before joining flydubai. Reports suggest he had been working for the UAE-based airline for about eight months. The BBC, quoting Buckinghamshire New University in the UK, reported that al-Hammami completed a three-year distance-learning course in aviation management there and graduated in 2023, but did not undergo pilot training at the institution.According to the UAE's state-run WAM news agency, Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot attacked the pilot with a crash axe and attempted to seize control of the aircraft. The UAE said investigations were continuing to establish the motive and all aspects of the incident, including whether it was connected to any "terrorist activity or purpose". On Friday, Machchhar spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone and recounted the moments after the attack. He said he was fighting for his life but was determined not to let others die. Machchhar was first taken to a nearby hospital and then airlifted to Abu Dhabi, where he was reported to be in stable condition. In a social media statement on Saturday, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said, "Indian braveheart Capt. Smit remains under excellent medical care and is recovering well. We are in touch with his family and local authorities, extending support for a speedy recovery. Our thanks to UAE gov. for their care. We join well-wishers in praying for his good health."Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Machchhar as a "true hero". In an interview with CNN on Wednesday evening, he said the injured pilot, passengers and crew had "managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster". Speaking to Fox News on Thursday, Netanyahu said the attacker shouted, "Kill me, kill me!" after being subdued. He said the remark suggested the attacker was suicidal and that it appeared he had intended to bring down the plane, and added that the attacker had "undergone Islamist radical indoctrination". Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Thursday that an Israeli woman, Tali Manes, raised the alarm after hearing a commotion from the cockpit. The BBC reported that her husband, Zvika, and three other men then entered the cockpit after Machchhar managed to open the door despite his injuries.The investigation is now focused on the co-pilot's motive and background, while the account of the attack points to a cockpit struggle, intervention by passengers and crew, and an emergency landing that brought all 174 passengers to safety. Machchhar remains under treatment in the UAE as authorities continue their inquiry.With PTI Inputs- Ends