Dubai: The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking Indian Captain Smit Machchhar during a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv has been identified as Hamam Alhamami, as new reports emerge about his previous aviation career and alleged extremist views.
Al Arabiya English, citing sources, reported that Alhamami had previously been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about extremist views, which were reportedly linked to an earlier period he spent in Syria.
The reports have brought fresh scrutiny to how Alhamami later joined flydubai and came to operate a passenger flight bound for Tel Aviv.
Reports point to alleged radicalisation
Israel's Channel 12 reported that investigators believe Alhamami underwent a process of indoctrination into al-Qaeda's ideology and had meetings with unspecified religious figures as part of what investigators believe was his radicalisation.
These claims have not been independently established by the UAE investigation, which is examining the circumstances and motive behind the September 30 incident.
CNN has separately reported that Alhamami had previously been removed from a position at Oman's national airline following concerns about alleged extremist views. A diplomatic source familiar with the matter told CNN that he had been removed from training because of concerns that he held radical views, but was later assigned another role at the airline.
CNN also reported that Alhamami was born in the UAE to an Omani father and Syrian mother and had spent several years in the UAE.
Fox News, meanwhile, reported that Oman Air grounded him in 2024 after discovering that he had been visiting radical Islamic websites. A source cited by the network said he subsequently moved to Dubai and that flydubai did not contact Oman Air before hiring him.
These reports have raised questions about what information was available to flydubai when Alhamami was recruited. They do not, by themselves, establish whether any previous concerns were formally communicated to the airline.
What investigators say about the flight
The incident occurred on September 30 aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to Reuters, the aircraft was carrying more than 170 passengers when it began a rapid descent over Saudi Arabia. The plane lost more than 16,000 feet before an unlawful-interference distress signal was transmitted.
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The co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. The injured captain then managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to enter and restrain the attacker. Two off-duty flydubai pilots travelling on the aircraft subsequently helped regain control before the plane landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The UAE has opened an investigation into the incident, including whether it was connected to terrorist activity or involved prior planning. The suspect was subsequently transferred from Saudi Arabia to the UAE.
Was the aircraft deliberately targeted?
A key question for investigators is whether the attack was an attempt to deliberately bring down the aircraft.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the co-pilot underwent Islamist radicalisation and was attempting to crash the plane. CNN reported, however, that investigators had not publicly established a motive at that stage.
i24NEWS has separately reported, citing sources briefed on the investigation, that the co-pilot told investigators he intended to crash the aircraft in Israel. The report said investigators were examining whether the alleged plan could have resulted in a mass-casualty attack.
That account remains part of the investigation and has not been independently established as a final finding.
Material reportedly found among his belongings
Another line of inquiry concerns material reportedly recovered from the co-pilot's belongings.
i24NEWS earlier reported, citing an Emirati source, that leaflets and publications from groups using the slogan "Free Palestine", along with other pro-Palestinian material, were found among his belongings.
The report also said the co-pilot had repeatedly expressed support for Palestinians and hostility towards Israel. Investigators were examining the material and his statements as part of a wider inquiry into his alleged radicalisation and possible motive.
The significance of that material has not been established publicly.
Captain Machchhar's role
At the centre of the incident was Captain Smit Machchhar, who resisted the attack despite suffering serious injuries.
After opening the cockpit door, Machchhar enabled passengers and crew to enter and restrain the co-pilot. The intervention allowed other pilots on board to assist in regaining control of the aircraft.
Machchhar has since undergone surgery and is recovering. i24NEWS reported that he was in stable condition.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Machchhar's actions, while Netanyahu also publicly commended the Indian pilot and the passengers who intervened.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain #SmitMachchhar over the phone following the flydubai cockpit attack and praised his courage and presence of mind. pic.twitter.com/UgPoyY3q0T
— Reporter World (@Reporterworld_) October 2, 2026
The questions now facing investigators
The investigation is now looking beyond the events inside the cockpit to Alhamami's background and how he came to be flying for flydubai.
Among the questions being examined are the reports of earlier concerns about his alleged extremist views, his reported time in Syria, his previous employment in Oman and the circumstances of his recruitment by flydubai.
The UAE investigation will also have to establish whether the attack was independently planned, whether there was a wider network or outside direction, and what ultimately motivated the assault.
For now, the reports about Alhamami's past remain allegations and investigative leads rather than established findings.
(With inputs from Al Arabiya English | Channel 12 | CNN | Fox News | i24NEWS | Reuters)
