The original date of the attack planned by the pilot-terrorist - and the information from his investigation kept secret | Report
The co-pilot of Flydubai, Hammam Al-Hammami, told investigators that he almost carried out an attack last summer before backing out. The UAE is keeping information from his investigation, which includes extreme online statements and consumption of extremist content during his time living in Australia. He was flagged as a security threat in 2024 and suspended from Oman Air.
The co-pilot of Flydubai, Hammam Al-Hammami, who attempted to crash the flight en route to Israel, told investigators that he almost carried out an attack last summer before changing his mind. This was reported by the Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the details of his investigation. According to the Financial Times, investigators in the UAE are keeping information obtained from his interrogation. Al-Hammami's digital footprint has been erased, but it is known that he expressed extreme views online and linked radical conservative interpretations of Islam with chauvinistic language. The UAE is investigating whether he acted alone when he attacked Captain Smith Macher with an emergency axe. Two sources told the Financial Times that according to his search history, Al-Hammami consumed extremist content during his time living in Australia. ABC reported that he was flagged as a security threat in 2024 and suspended from his position as a trainee pilot at Oman Air after possessing extremist materials and posting violent and antisemitic content. Despite this, he was accepted by Flydubai eight months ago. The attack was prevented thanks to the resourcefulness of the captain, the flight crew, and Israeli passengers. The wounded captain fought the assailant and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to neutralize the suspect. Two off-duty pilots took control of the aircraft and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.