Stories
flydubai Co-Pilot Confesses Intent to Crash Plane, Unfazed by Death: Report
M
Moneycontrol•04-10-2026, 17:35
flydubai Co-Pilot Confesses Intent to Crash Plane, Unfazed by Death: Report
- •flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami admitted to investigators his intention to deliberately crash a passenger aircraft and stated he was not afraid of death, according to The Wall Street Journal.
- •Hammami allegedly attacked captain Smit Machchhar with an onboard axe and attempted to crash the plane carrying over 170 people.
- •Authorities are questioning how Hammami, despite prior attention for browsing extremist websites, was able to return to the cockpit and fly an international route.
- •Oman Air, Hammami's first employer, had banned him from flying due to his interest in extremist websites, leading to a deradicalisation program and a desk job before he was hired by flydubai.
- •Investigators are examining the motives behind the alleged attack and how Hammami was hired, while also reviewing his deleted social media posts which revealed misogynistic views and extremist leanings.
Key Questions Answered
Hamam al-Hammami acknowledged to investigators that he wanted to deliberately bring down the passenger aircraft and stated that he was not afraid of death.
Oman Air banned him from flying after authorities became aware of his interest in browsing extremist websites.
He was sent through a deradicalisation programme and assigned to a desk job before later finding employment in the United Arab Emirates.
