"There Was Big Mistake": What Oman Sources Told NDTV About flydubai Co-Pilot
Senior Omani government sources informed NDTV that the flydubai co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, was previously barred from an aviation career in Oman due to his interest in extremist websites and content related to terrorism. This revelation comes as UAE and Israeli authorities investigate the incident as an attempted 'terrorist act.'
Why it matters
This incident reveals critical security failures in aviation background checks and highlights the ongoing threat of radicalization, even within sensitive professions. It raises serious questions about international intelligence sharing and the vetting processes for airline personnel, with significant implications for global aviation security.
Senior Omani government sources have told NDTV that the flydubai pilot who attacked Captain Smit Machchhar had previously been prevented from pursuing a career in aviation in Oman after authorities detected signs of his interest in extremist websites and content related to terrorism.The man has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, by several media reports. His identity has not, however, been publicly confirmed by UAE authorities or flydubai. The Omani account comes as the United Arab Emirates continues to investigate the incident aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. UAE authorities and the Israeli government have described the incident as an attempted "terrorist act". READ | flydubai Co-Pilot Planned To Execute Attack In July.
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