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# Flydubai Co-Pilot in FZ1073 Attack Identified as Hamam al-Hammami
- URL: https://www.theglobalvoice.com/flydubai-co-pilot-in-fz1073-attack-identified-as-hamam-al-hammami/
- Published: 2026-10-03T07:47:23.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-04T08:25:16.000Z
- Description: The co-pilot accused of attacking Captain Smit Machchhar aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 has been identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. UAE authorities have not officially confirmed his name, background or motive as the terrorism investigation continues.
- Author: TGV Desk
- Tags: United Arab Emirates, Flydubai, Hamam al-Hammami, Smit Machchhar, Flight FZ1073, Terrorism, The Day So Far, has-audio

The co-pilot accused of attacking Indian captain Smit Machchhar and attempting to seize control of Flydubai flight FZ1073 has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, as investigators examine whether he acted alone or had connections to an extremist organisation.

The name was disclosed by people familiar with the investigation, including Gulf and Western diplomatic sources. However, neither the United Arab Emirates, Oman nor Flydubai has officially confirmed the co-pilot’s identity. His age, employment history and circumstances of recruitment by the airline also remain unverified by authorities.

> 🚨 The Omani pilot linked to the Fly Dubai incident is named "Hamam Al-Hammami"  
>  
> He Spent time in Syria.  
>  
> Someone went to extreme lengths to wipe all his data from Google and other search engines and any links about his family. [https://t.co/W8HEyQyLil](https://t.co/W8HEyQyLil?ref=theglobalvoice.com) [pic.twitter.com/wLkRVYSYaF](https://t.co/wLkRVYSYaF?ref=theglobalvoice.com)
> 
> — #𝕎𝕒𝕣 ℍ𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕫𝕠𝕟 (@WarHorizon) [October 2, 2026](https://x.com/WarHorizon/status/2106160646186566036?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=theglobalvoice.com)

Al-Hammami is accused of attacking Machchhar inside the cockpit while the Boeing 737 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30\. The aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, most of them Israeli nationals.

During the struggle, the aircraft made two sudden descents over Saudi airspace. Flight-tracking data indicated that it lost more than 16,000 feet during its most severe dive before stabilising. The crew transmitted emergency signals indicating unlawful interference, and the aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

Despite suffering serious injuries, [Captain Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door](https://www.theglobalvoice.com/stabbed-in-the-cockpit-indian-captain-smit-machchhar-helped-save-174-lives/). That allowed passengers and other Flydubai crew members travelling aboard the aircraft to enter the flight deck and restrain the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots then helped regain control and land the aircraft safely.

The co-pilot was injured during the confrontation and initially received treatment in Tabuk. He was subsequently transferred to Abu Dhabi, where the criminal investigation is being conducted.

Reports have also claimed that al-Hammami had previously faced restrictions on flying in Oman because of concerns about extremist views. Other claims allege that he had been removed from an aviation training role before joining Flydubai. These allegations have not been confirmed by Oman’s aviation authorities, his former employers or the UAE investigation team.

---

The central question is now whether the attack was an isolated act or involved prior planning, outside encouragement or links to an extremist group. Investigators are expected to examine the suspect’s communications, electronic devices, employment history and movements before the flight.

The [UAE Attorney-General has formed a specialised prosecution team](https://www.wam.ae/en/article/c2ivgfv-uae-attorney-general-orders-investigation-into?ref=theglobalvoice.com) to establish what happened and determine whether the incident was connected to terrorist activity. The inquiry is being conducted alongside the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and other regional authorities.

Flydubai has confirmed only that an incident occurred inside the flight deck and that crew members travelling on the aircraft intervened. In its [official statement on FZ1073](https://news.flydubai.com/updates-on-fz-1073-dxb-tlv-on-30-september-2026?ref=theglobalvoice.com), the airline said every passenger was safe and accounted for.

The UAE aviation regulator has praised Machchhar, the crew and passengers for their response but has declined to comment on claims that could prejudice the investigation. It has urged the public to avoid speculation until formal findings are released.

The disclosure of the co-pilot’s reported identity will increase scrutiny of airline recruitment and security procedures, particularly if claims about earlier concerns over his conduct are substantiated. Investigators will have to establish whether warning signs existed, whether they were communicated to Flydubai and how he was assigned to a politically sensitive route to Israel.