Crash axe used in flydubai cockpit attack, UAE calls it ‘terrorist attack’

Cairo: The co-pilot suspected of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight has been identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, according to three people familiar with the investigation.

The UAE has described the incident as a “terrorist attack”, saying the co-pilot used the cockpit’s crash axe to attack the captain and tried to take control of the aircraft carrying 182 people.

The sources said investigators are examining whether the co-pilot acted alone or had links to extremist groups. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to discuss the investigation publicly.

A person familiar with the matter said the co-pilot had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged extremist views. He was later hired by UAE-based FlyDubai, although it was not immediately clear what checks were carried out before his recruitment.

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The co-pilot had reportedly worked for Oman’s national airline and was later moved to an administrative role after being removed from flying duties.

The incident has raised questions over how he was able to serve in the cockpit of the Wednesday flight, particularly as Israel has agreements with foreign carriers concerning pilots from countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel. Oman and Israel do not have formal diplomatic ties.

The co-pilot was born in the UAE and his mother is Syrian, according to a regional official familiar with the investigation.

Security agencies from four regional countries, along with the United States and other Western governments, are involved in investigating the co-pilot’s possible motives, the official said.

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UAE senior diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash described the incident as a “dangerous terrorist act” in a post on X on Friday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also alleged that the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalization”, without providing evidence.

The captain was seriously injured in the attack but managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and subdue the co-pilot. The aircraft, which had been rapidly losing altitude, was subsequently stabilised and made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.

The object allegedly used to stab the captain has not been publicly identified, and investigators have not said whether it was brought on board or taken from inside the aircraft.

Both the captain and co-pilot were later taken to the UAE, which is leading the investigation. Several countries, including Israel, are assisting with the probe.

AP