A shocking new revelation has emerged in the terrifying mid-air attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073.
The co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain and attempting to seize control of an Israel-bound Boeing 737 MAX 8 had reportedly been banned from flying in Oman over concerns about his alleged radical views.
The suspect, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national who previously worked for Oman Air, was reportedly dismissed after radical ideological material was discovered on his mobile phone.
Sources cited by media reports said concerns about his beliefs had surfaced during his training, prompting a transfer to another role.
Despite these earlier concerns, al-Hammami was subsequently hired by flydubai and had reportedly been working for the airline for less than a year.
Then came the terrifying incident.
On Wednesday, October 1, Flight FZ1073, carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, allegedly became the scene of a violent cockpit attack.
The co-pilot reportedly stabbed Indian captain Smit Machchhar and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
The aircraft plunged approximately 18,000 feet, triggering a desperate struggle to prevent a catastrophe. Despite being injured, Captain Machchhar managed to resist the attacker and open the cockpit door, allowing passengers, cabin crew and off-duty pilots to assist.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker had undergone Islamist radicalization and allegedly intended to crash the aircraft with everyone on board. He also raised questions about whether the suspect had been sent by someone else, an allegation that remains under investigation.
The revelations have triggered serious questions about aviation security. How did an individual reportedly flagged over radical views in one country secure a cockpit position with another airline? Were those concerns ever communicated across borders? And could the attack have been prevented?
Meanwhile, flydubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv until further notice as investigations continue.
