CAIRO (AP) — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain on an Israel-bound flight with an axe and attempting to grab the controls was an Omani nationwide who’d been barred from flying on his nation’s airline due to issues about extremist views, officers stated Saturday.
The co-pilot has been recognized as Hamam al-Hammami, in keeping with three individuals with information of the scenario, together with a Gulf and Western diplomat, who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t approved to talk to the media.
The United Arab Emirates, which is main the investigation, stated the co-pilot attacked with the cockpit’s crash axe and tried to take management of the sharply plummeting aircraft in a “terrorist assault” Wednesday. His actions almost crashed the flight with 182 individuals on board earlier than passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.
The brand new particulars raised questions on how totally FlyDubai vets potential staff, and the way the co-pilot’s presence on a flight stuffed with Israeli passengers bought previous Israel’s strict safety protocols.
Israel’s authorities has stated it has agreements with international carriers to maintain pilots of countries with out diplomatic ties from flying there. Israel and Oman don’t have formal diplomatic relations. The UAE authorities has earned a status for efficient measures towards extremist actions however has bristled previously over criticism of safety lapses.
The incident occurred at a delicate time for Israel, per week earlier than the anniversary of the Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the struggle in Gaza. It additionally got here weeks earlier than a extremely contentious election during which safety, and Oct. 7 safety failures, have been central points.
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FlyDubai employed the co-pilot after Oman Air barred him
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Individually, a regional official and an individual acquainted with the matter stated the co-pilot had been barred from flying by Oman over issues he had adopted extremist views. The official stated he was moved to an administrative job at Oman Air. Each spoke on situation of anonymity to debate the continuing investigation. They gave no particulars concerning the alleged extremist views.
The co-pilot was later employed by UAE-based airline FlyDubai, the particular person stated. It was not instantly clear to what extent the co-pilot was vetted. The Gulf diplomat stated he had undergone customary safety checks earlier than being employed, however it seems that the checks centered on whether or not he had been convicted on prison expenses and didn’t go deeper into inspecting his background for potential indicators of radicalization.
The regional official additionally stated safety companies from 4 regional nations had been working to determine the co-pilot’s motives, aided by the USA and different Western governments. The Gulf diplomat stated investigations had been attempting to determine whether or not the co-pilot acted alone or “has any reference to any extremist teams.”
The regional official stated the co-pilot was born within the UAE and his mom is Syrian. He obtained Omani nationality from his father, additionally an Omani nationwide. The regional official additionally stated the co-pilot had traveled to Syria, with no particulars.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday stated the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalization,” however supplied no proof. There was no instant remark Saturday from Israel’s authorities.
A social media account was deleted the day of the flight
A FlyDubai spokesperson stated in an e-mail that the airline couldn’t remark past its official statements and acknowledged “there are a lot of questions at this stage.” There was no instant remark from Oman Air, and Oman’s authorities has stated nothing publicly in response to repeated questions because the incident.
In an announcement to the AP, Royal Air Maroc, Morocco’s nationwide service, stated the co-pilot “accomplished a three-month theoretical coaching interval with the airline in 2025, as a part of the pre-employment course of. On the finish of this coaching interval, his utility was not chosen for employment.” There have been no particulars.
Keith Coles, a spokesperson for Buckinghamshire New College in England, informed the AP that al-Hammami beforehand accomplished a distance-learning course in aviation administration there however “didn’t undertake any pilot coaching.” There have been no particulars on the timing.
Little else was instantly recognized concerning the co-pilot’s background. His Instagram account was lively till the day of the flight after which deleted.
Captain and passengers have described drama on board
Airways are typically required to hold crash axes within the cockpit that might be utilized in an emergency to interrupt open a window to flee or break open a panel to entry a fireplace.
The captain, who was badly wounded within the axe assault, has stated he used his remaining vitality whereas being attacked to unlock the cockpit door, permitting individuals who had seen alarmingly uncommon sounds to come back in, sort out the co-pilot and stabilize the flight whereas passengers screamed.
The aircraft made an emergency touchdown in Saudi Arabia after a descent so excessive that a part of the rudder was torn away, and aviation consultants have marveled that it didn’t crash. FlyDubai has stated crew touring on the aircraft helped to stabilize the aircraft and land. They haven’t but been publicly recognized.
Each the captain and co-pilot had been later taken to the UAE. The passengers, most of them Israeli, flew house later Wednesday on a separate aircraft, to cheers.
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Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Anna from Jerusalem. AP Washington bureau chief Anna Johnson in Washington, aviation author Josh Funk and Sam Metz in Jerusalem contributed.
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