The flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar in an apparent attempt to crash an Israel-bound flight is believed to have acted alone, according to media reports, as investigators probe the motive behind the mid-air incident.
The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, although his identity has not been officially confirmed. According to The Wall Street Journal, al-Hammami had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about his extremist ideologies.
CBS News reported that the alleged attempted hijacking was likely a lone-wolf attack, and the investigation is still in full swing, and all avenues are still being explored, according to an early investigation by Israel.
According to CNN, an Israeli official said information from the inquiry suggested the suspect acted alone. At the same time, international investigators are still working to determine a motive. Another Israeli source said that, at the moment, Israel does not know of any link to a group or government. Both stressed this was their understanding so far, the report added.
Along with Israel, the UAE is also investigating the incident and said on Saturday that its probe had revealed the co-pilot attempted to carry out a "terrorist" act. The Interior Ministry of Saudi Arabia, where the plane made an emergency landing, is also conducting an investigation.
On Wednesday, flydubai flight FZ1073 plunged more than 17,000 feet within minutes after the captain was allegedly attacked in the cockpit. Despite being wounded, Captain Smit Machchhar made a desperate bid to save the aircraft, managing to unlock the cockpit door and alert passengers and crew before they rushed in to help regain control of the Israel-bound flight.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) also said that it is investigating al-Hammami’s links to the country. Australian security agencies have launched an investigation after it emerged that al-Hammami spent about two years in the country as a student.
Sources familiar with the case told Australian media that the co-pilot was issued a student visa in 2014 and studied in Australia between 2015 and 2017 before leaving the country.
His visa was cancelled in 2019, the ABC reported, adding that the cancellation was not on character grounds but because he was no longer enrolled in a course and therefore no longer eligible for a student visa.
(With inputs from agencies)