Source: Fortune.com
Summary
A co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight attacked the captain with an axe and tried to take control of the plane, leading to an emergency landing. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, was an Omani national barred from flying by Oman Air due to concerns about extremist views. The UAE is leading the investigation, which is examining whether the co-pilot acted alone or had ties to extremist groups. The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region, with Israel preparing for the anniversary of the October 7 attacks. FlyDubai has not provided details on its hiring process for the co-pilot.
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The numbers tell one story.
FlyDubai hired a co-pilot after Oman Air barred him for extremist views.
The co-pilot had an active Instagram account before the flight, which was deleted the same day.
The UAE is investigating whether he acted alone or with extremist groups.
The incident raises questions about hiring and vetting processes in the airline industry.
The co-pilot’s presence on a flight with Israeli passengers highlights gaps in security protocols.
Author: Evan Null
Co-pilot Accused of Attacking Captain
The co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, was accused of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound flight with an axe and trying to seize the controls. Officials said he was an Omani national who had been barred from flying on Oman Air due to concerns about extremist views. The incident occurred on a flight with 182 people on board, and the co-pilot’s actions nearly caused a crash before passengers subdued him.
Details About the Co-pilot’s Background
Al-Hammami was identified by Gulf and Western diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He was barred from Oman Air and later hired by FlyDubai, an UAE-based airline. The airline’s hiring process focused on criminal records but not on potential radicalization. Security agencies from four regional countries are investigating his motives, aided by the United States and other Western governments.
Questions About Vetting and Security
The incident raised questions about how thoroughly FlyDubai vets employees and how the co-pilot’s presence on a flight with Israeli passengers got past Israel’s strict security protocols. Israel has agreements with foreign carriers to keep pilots from nations without diplomatic ties from flying there. Oman and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations.
Impact on Regional Tensions
The incident occurred at a sensitive time for Israel, a week before the anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, that sparked the war in Gaza. It also came weeks before a highly contentious election in which security and the October 7 security failures have been central issues. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalization,” but provided no evidence.
Passengers and Crew Described the Drama
The captain, who was badly wounded, used his remaining energy to unlock the cockpit door, allowing others to subdue the co-pilot. The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a descent so extreme that part of the rudder was torn away. Aviation experts have marveled that it didn’t crash. FlyDubai said crew traveling on the plane helped to stabilize it and land, but they have not been publicly identified.
