The co-pilot accused of attacking Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv has been identified as Hamam Al-Hammami, according to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, which cited sources.
The incident occurred aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport in Israel with 180 people on board.
Co-pilot allegedly attacked captain mid-flight
About two hours into the flight, while the aircraft was flying over Saudi Arabia at an altitude of approximately 33,000 to 34,000 feet, Al-Hammami allegedly attacked and stabbed Captain Machchhar inside the cockpit.
Despite sustaining serious injuries, Machchhar reportedly managed to unlock the cockpit door. Passengers and crew members then entered the cockpit and helped restrain the co-pilot.
The aircraft was subsequently diverted and made an emergency landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.
All passengers and crew members survived the incident, with no serious passenger injuries reported. Both pilots were taken to hospital for treatment.
The passengers were later transported to Israel on a replacement aircraft.
Reports raise questions over co-pilot’s background
Reports by ABC News and The Wall Street Journal said the co-pilot had previously been considered a security risk and had been barred from flying in Oman over concerns about alleged radical views.
The reports also claimed that he had spent considerable time outside Oman, including in Syria, where he was allegedly exposed to extremist ideology before travelling to the UAE.
Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot following the incident before transferring him to the UAE. Israeli authorities were also expected to question him as part of the investigation.
The allegations concerning his background have not been independently established in the material provided.
Captain Machchhar praised for actions
Captain Machchhar’s actions during the incident have drawn praise from leaders in India and Israel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Machchhar’s wife and parents and expressed support for the injured pilot.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised the Indian captain, describing his actions as an act of exceptional courage and saying Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door despite suffering serious injuries.
The investigation into the cockpit attack and the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot’s alleged actions is continuing.
