Hamam Al-Hammami is accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.
The Omani co-pilot linked to the Flydubai incident has been identified as Hamam Al-Hammami, Saudi’s Al Arabiya reported, citing sources. He is accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv.
Banned from flying in Oman
According to reports by ABC News and The Wall Street Journal, the co-pilot had previously been identified as a security risk and barred from flying in Oman over concerns about his radical views.
The reports also said he spent much of his time outside Oman, including in Syria, where he was allegedly exposed to extremist ideas before later traveling to the UAE.
What happened on the Flydubai flight?
Flydubai Flight FZ1073 left Dubai International Airport for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with 180 people on board.
About two hours into the flight, while the plane was flying over Saudi Arabia at around 33,000 to 34,000 feet, the co-pilot attacked and stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar.
Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door. Passengers and crew then entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot.
The plane was diverted and made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.
All passengers and crew survived, and no serious injuries among passengers were reported. Both pilots were taken to a hospital.
The passengers were later flown to Israel on a replacement aircraft.
Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot before transferring him to the UAE. Israeli officials were also expected to question him as part of the investigation.