Israeli officials say Flydubai co-pilot likely acted without outside support
Goldlaner.com – Israeli officials believe the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain during a flight bound for Israel likely acted on his own, while investigators in several countries continue examining what prompted the incident.
The allegation centers on Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai when violence broke out in the cockpit. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a dramatic loss of altitude, falling thousands of feet within minutes as the captain was attacked.
Despite suffering injuries, Captain Smit Machchhar was able to unlock the cockpit door and alert cabin crew and passengers. People on board then entered the cockpit and helped regain control of the aircraft, preventing what could have become a far more serious aviation disaster.
Inquiry spans several countries
The United Arab Emirates and Israel are conducting separate investigations. Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry is also examining the case because the plane landed there during the emergency.
An Israeli official said information gathered so far points to an individual act rather than a coordinated operation. A second Israeli source said Israel has not identified a connection between the suspect and any government or organized group at this stage. Both cautioned that the assessment could change as investigators review further evidence.
Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, the UAE attorney general, said the co-pilot tried to take control of the aircraft after attacking his colleague with a crash ax. The tool is emergency equipment carried on most aircraft. Al Shamsi described the alleged attempted hijacking as a “terrorist act.”
The case has drawn intense attention because it involves an alleged assault inside the cockpit, an area protected by strict aviation-security procedures. Investigators will be working to establish the sequence of events, the suspect’s possible motive and whether any warning signs were missed before the flight.
Questions over alleged radicalization
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel understands the suspect had “underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.” He said the conclusion was based on “personal information” obtained during ongoing questioning, but did not elaborate on what that information involved.
“Underwent Islamist radical indoctrination.”
US President Donald Trump said shortly after the incident that the suspect could have a link to Iran, citing what he had heard. He offered no additional details. Israeli officials have not said they know of a link to Iran, another government or a militant organization.
Those differing public statements underline how early the inquiry remains. Establishing motive in an aviation-security case can require investigators to compare interview evidence, employment histories, travel information, communications and digital activity before drawing firm conclusions.
Employment history under review
The suspect has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Israeli sources said he had worked at Flydubai for approximately eight months before Wednesday’s incident.
Information being examined includes his earlier work in commercial aviation. Al-Hammami had been removed from a previous position at Oman’s national airline last year following concerns about extremist views, sources said.
A LinkedIn profile under the name Hamam al-Hammami stated that he spent seven years at Oman Air, leaving in February 2025. The same profile listed employment with Morocco’s Royal Air Maroc beginning in June 2025 and ending in January 2026. One source said the profile belonged to the Flydubai pilot involved in the incident.
The profile was later deleted. A post appearing on it about nine hours after the attack showed an image of a former al Qaeda leader. It remains unclear who made the post or whether it had been scheduled before the events on the aircraft.
Royal Air Maroc said in a statement to the Associated Press that the suspect completed three months of training with the airline during 2025 as part of a pre-employment process, but was not selected for a job. Another source said the alleged assailant had previously worked for the airline.
Australian Federal Police are also investigating al-Hammami’s possible links to Australia. The agency said it would provide an update when appropriate.
Aviation safety remains central to the investigation
The emergency highlights the importance of cockpit access procedures and the response of flight crews during an in-flight security crisis. In this case, the captain’s ability to signal for help and the intervention of crew members and passengers were pivotal as the aircraft descended rapidly.
Authorities have not publicly laid out a full timeline of the confrontation, the aircraft’s altitude changes or the measures taken after control was restored. Those details are likely to be important as investigators determine how the alleged attack unfolded and whether any further security changes are warranted.
For now, officials are emphasizing that the finding that the suspect probably acted alone is preliminary. The investigations in the UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia, along with the Australian inquiry, remain ongoing as authorities seek a clearer account of the attack and its possible motivations.
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