The co-pilot on FlyDubai Flight 1073, identified as Hamam al-Hamami, an Omani man, violently attacked the captain and attempted to crash the aircraft en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Security officials in Oman had previously scrutinized him due to his extreme Islamist views, according to sources. The investigation indicates he acted alone, with no known links to Iran.
A social media post attributed to him featured Ayman al-Zawahri, former Al Qaeda leader. The flight, carrying over 170 passengers—mostly Israelis—plunged over 17,000 feet before Capt. Smit Machchhar regained control with passenger help.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the co-pilot underwent “Islamist radical indoctrination.” Al-Hamami previously worked at Oman Air and studied at RMIT University and Buckinghamshire New University. The U.A.E. is leading the terrorism investigation. Both pilots were transferred from Saudi Arabia, where the plane made an emergency landing.
Source: New York Times Top Stories · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing