The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar during a Flydubai flight to Israel had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about his alleged radical ideological views, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and ABC News. The development has raised questions about how he was subsequently cleared to fly for the Dubai-based airline.

The suspect has been identified by multiple reports as 29-year-old Hamam Al-Hammami. He was serving as first officer aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the September 30 cockpit attack took place. The aircraft, carrying more than 170 people, was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after Machchhar was attacked and passengers and crew intervened.

Co-Pilot Previously Grounded By Oman Air

According to ABC News, Al-Hammami was working as a co-pilot trainee at Oman Air in 2024 when he was found in possession of what sources described as extremist material. Senior intelligence and law enforcement officials told the outlet that he was subsequently suspended from flying and identified as a security risk.

The sources said Al-Hammami was grounded for a year but was allowed to remain associated with Oman Air in an administrative capacity. The reports did not establish what happened to his employment after that or how he subsequently obtained a flying position with Flydubai.

The Wall Street Journal separately reported that Oman had banned Al-Hammami from flying because of concerns about radical ideological views. The newspaper said it was not clear whether Oman had communicated those concerns to other countries or airlines, including Flydubai. It also said the precise nature of the alleged radicalisation remained unclear.

Reports Point To Time Spent In Syria

Al Arabiya, citing sources, has reported that Al-Hammami spent much of his time outside Oman, particularly in Syria, where he was allegedly influenced by extremist ideas. According to the report, Omani authorities later prevented him from flying because of concerns about his views.

The report said Al-Hammami subsequently left Oman and moved to the UAE, where he eventually joined Flydubai. His previous flying restriction has since become a focus of scrutiny as investigators examine how he was able to obtain employment as a commercial pilot.

The reports differ in some details about Al-Hammami’s background and the circumstances of his earlier removal from flying. ABC News has cited officials who said extremist material was found while he was training with Oman Air, while the Wall Street Journal has described the earlier restriction more broadly as being linked to concerns about radical ideological views.

Questions Over Flydubai Clearance

The revelations have prompted questions about the checks carried out before Al-Hammami was hired and assigned to a passenger flight operating between the UAE and Israel.

The Wall Street Journal said it could not establish whether Omani authorities had shared their concerns with Flydubai or other aviation authorities. ABC News reported that investigators were examining how the suspect was subsequently permitted to fly for Flydubai despite his earlier identification as a security risk.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described the incident as involving what he called “Islamist radical indoctrination”. However, the exact motive behind the attack and whether Al-Hammami acted alone remain matters for investigators to establish.

Investigation Into Cockpit Attack Continues

The September 30 incident occurred after the Flydubai aircraft had departed Dubai for Tel Aviv. Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit, causing the aircraft to enter a steep descent over Saudi Arabia. Passengers and crew eventually entered the cockpit, restrained the suspected attacker and helped stabilise the aircraft. Two off-duty Flydubai pilots travelling on the flight later helped land the aircraft safely in Tabuk.

The UAE is leading the investigation, with Saudi authorities having carried out preliminary inquiries and Israeli officials also involved. Investigators are examining Al-Hammami’s background, the circumstances of the cockpit attack and whether he had any links to other individuals or organisations.

According to ABC News, sources familiar with the investigation said Al-Hammami was cooperating with authorities after being transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE. He has reportedly indicated that he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel, although that account has not been independently confirmed.

The investigation is also expected to examine how information about the suspect’s earlier flying restriction was handled and whether relevant security concerns were communicated before he was employed as a commercial co-pilot.

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