FlyDubai attack pilot was in NZ on student visa, police confirm
Police have confirmed that the co-pilot accused of attacking a colleague on a FlyDubai flight previously spent 175 days in New Zealand on a student visa in 2018-2019. Authorities are currently reviewing his records and activities during that period.
Why it matters
The investigation into the pilot's background highlights international scrutiny of aviation safety and the vetting processes for flight training.
The pilot accused of attacking his colleague on a FlyDubai flight spent 175 days in New Zealand in 2018/19 under a six-month student visa.
Hammam al-Hammami has been named as the co-pilot accused of attacking his colleague Captain Smit Machchhar on board Flight FZ1073 bound for Israel, and trying to seize controls of the flight, carrying more than 170 passengers.
Machchhar was covered in blood when he managed to release the cockpit door, which allowed passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and regain control of the flight.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Co-pilot accused of trying to hijack flydubai plane likely acted alone: Reports
New Zealand investigates flydubai hijacker's ties to country
Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport or building, reports say
Flydubai hijacking attempt exposes worrying gaps in aviation security
Omani Co-Pilot May Have Shut Off flydubai Plane's Engines: Report
Flydubai co-pilot allegedly tried to crash plane after hijack attempt failed
Flydubai co-pilot’s chilling 9/11-style plan: Kill captain, fly normally - then crash at Ben Gurion
UAE had shared details about FlyDubai flight with Israel, including pilots' names and nationalities, officials tell AP - AP News
FlyDubai attacker intended to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport, ongoing investigation finds
Trump says he thinks Iran was responsible for Flydubai attack
Alleged FlyDubai hijacker spent time in NZ, police say
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in