From Aviation Passion to Plane Crash Plot: The Full Story of Flydubai Co-Pilot Hamam Al-Hammami

New Delhi: As the investigation into the case of the co-pilot attacking the captain of flydubai's Dubai-Tel Aviv flight is progressing, many questions are emerging about the past life of the accused Hamam Al-Hammami and his aviation career. Hamam, a 29-year-old Omani national, is accused of attacking Captain Smit Machar in the cockpit of flight FZ1073 with a crash axe and trying to seize the controls of the plane. The UAE Prosecutor General has described the incident as an attempt to carry out a terrorist attack. There were 182 people on board the plane and after the incident it had to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. 

Had Hamam ever been immersed in the passion of aviation?

Hamam, who is now being investigated as a terrorist attack suspect, was once very enthusiastic about flying planes. According to reports, in June 2022, he had expressed his enthusiasm about aviation and flight training on social media. He described experiences like the first solo flight and the first landing with passengers as memorable. 

Why did Oman Air remove Hamam from the flight?

Investigation has revealed that Hammam's old employer Oman Air had barred him from flying as a pilot. According to officials, there were concerns about his activities related to extremist websites. He was removed from flying duties and given a desk job. Some reports also suggest that he has undergone a de-radicalisation programme. However, the full nature of his alleged extremist views and the security procedures at the time are still under investigation. 

How to reach Flydubai?

After being laid off from flying at Oman Air, Hamam sought other aviation opportunities. According to reports, he also tried to get a job with Moroccan airline Royal Air Maroc in 2025. The company confirmed that he had completed three months of theoretical training but was not selected for the job. He later joined Flydubai and was appointed by the company in February this year.

What happened on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight?

On September 30, flight FZ1073 took off from Dubai for Tel Aviv. After reaching a height of about 34,000 feet, the plane suddenly started descending rapidly. According to flight tracking data, the plane descended thousands of feet within minutes. Meanwhile, Hamam attacked the captain in the cockpit. The captain somehow opened the cockpit door, after which the passengers and some crew members reached inside and controlled the leak. The plane later landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. 

What questions are now being answered in the investigation?

The biggest question is why Hammam took such a step and whether he was acting alone. The investigating agencies are probing his alleged extremist links, past records, social media activities and the security checks conducted during his appointment at flydubai. It is also part of the investigation into how it got permission to fly on the sensitive Dubai-Tel Aviv route despite concerns raised earlier. The officials have said that investigation of digital and physical evidence will continue. 

Are social media accounts also being investigated?

A social media account of the hamam was deleted on the day of the incident. Screenshots of his old posts have surfaced on social media, in which objectionable comments about women are also claimed. However, the complete authenticity of these posts and their context is being investigated. For this reason, investigating agencies are also looking at social media records as a link to the case. 

Overall, this incident at Flydubai has raised serious questions about the security vetting of pilots and the recruitment process on sensitive international routes. At present, Hamam's intentions, possible contacts and any lapses in security checks are not known.