Ax-Wielding FlyDubai Co-Pilot Had Been Flagged Over Extremism Concerns

CAIRO (AP) — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound flight with an ax and attempting to grab the controls was an Omani nationwide who had been barred from flying on his nation’s airline due to considerations about extremist views, officers mentioned Saturday.

The co-pilot has been recognized as Hamam al-Hammami, based on three individuals with data of the scenario, together with a Gulf and a 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, mentioned the co-pilot attacked with the cockpit’s crash ax and tried to take management of the plummeting plane 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 new particulars raised questions on how completely FlyDubai vets potential staff, and the way the co-pilot’s presence on a flight stuffed with Israeli passengers obtained previous Israel’s strict safety protocols.

Israel has mentioned it has agreements with overseas 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 in opposition to extremist actions however has bristled previously over criticism of security 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 by which safety, and Oct. 7 safety failures, have been central points.

Separately, a regional official and an individual acquainted with the matter mentioned the co-pilot had been barred from flying by Oman over considerations that he had adopted extremist views. The official mentioned he was moved to an administrative job at Oman Air. Both spoke on situation of anonymity to debate the continued investigation. They gave no particulars in regards to the alleged extremist views.

The co-pilot was later employed by UAE-based airline FlyDubai, the particular person mentioned. It wasn’t instantly clear to what extent the co-pilot was vetted. The Gulf diplomat mentioned he had undergone normal safety checks earlier than being employed, however it seems that the checks targeted on whether or not he had been convicted of legal prices and didn’t go deeper into analyzing his background for potential indicators of radicalization.

The regional official additionally mentioned safety businesses from 4 regional international locations have been working to ascertain the co-pilot’s motives, aided by the United States and different Western governments. The Gulf diplomat mentioned the investigation, which hasn’t concluded, hasn’t discovered any connections with militant teams, suggesting that the co-pilot acted on his personal.

The regional official mentioned 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 mentioned the co-pilot had traveled to Syria, with no particulars.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday mentioned the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalization,” however supplied no proof. There was no quick remark Saturday from Israel’s authorities.

A FlyDubai spokesperson mentioned in an electronic mail that the airline couldn’t remark past its official statements and acknowledged “there are numerous questions at this stage.” There was no quick remark from Oman Air, and Oman’s authorities has mentioned nothing publicly in response to repeated questions because the incident.

In a press release to The Associated Press, Royal Air Maroc, Morocco’s nationwide provider, mentioned the co-pilot “accomplished a three-month theoretical coaching interval with the airline in 2025, as a part of the pre-employment course of. At the tip of this coaching interval, his software was not chosen for employment.” There have been no particulars.

Keith Coles, a spokesperson for Buckinghamshire New University in England, instructed 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 in regards to the co-pilot’s background. His Instagram account was energetic till the day of the flight after which deleted.

Philip Baum, a visiting professor of aviation safety at Coventry University in England who wrote a guide about plane hijackings and bombings, mentioned background test methods differ from nation to nation and there are limits on what forms of info might be shared.

“In phrases of aviation safety itself, clearly we wish to have as sturdy background checks as potential. But there are big limitations on doing background checks in any case, particularly in cross-border checks,” he mentioned.

Airlines are usually required to hold crash axes within the cockpit that could possibly be utilized in an emergency to interrupt open a window to flee or break open a panel to entry a hearth.

The captain, who was badly wounded, has mentioned he used his remaining power whereas being attacked to unlock the cockpit door, permitting individuals who had observed alarming sounds to return in, sort out the co-pilot and stabilize the flight whereas passengers screamed.

In a cellphone name with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, the flight’s captain, Smit Machchhar, mentioned that earlier than the assault, the co-pilot needed to wish, and that he turned away out of respect. He mentioned he felt a blow to the again of his head a couple of minutes later, after which the blows saved coming.

Netanyahu instructed Machchhar that he was amazed at his braveness and his capability to remain cool beneath unattainable circumstances. “You saved so many souls. … You saved the spirit of the planet,” he mentioned.

The airplane 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 mentioned crew touring on the airplane helped to stabilize it and land. They haven’t been publicly recognized.

The captain and co-pilot have been later taken to the UAE. The passengers, most of them Israeli, flew residence later Wednesday on a separate airplane, to cheers.

Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Anna from Jerusalem. AP Washington bureau chief Anna Johnson in Washington, Transportation Writer Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska, and reporter Sam Metz in Jerusalem contributed.