Australia Launches Terror Probe into Flydubai Co-pilot
Australian authorities launch a terror probe into Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami following revelations of his past studies and radicalization links.
Australian authorities have launched a major investigation into Hamam al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot involved in the September 30 terrorist attack on Flydubai Flight FZ1073, following revelations that he previously studied in the country.
Investigation into Australian Links
The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team (VIC JCTT)—which includes the Australian Federal Police (AFP), Victoria Police, and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO)—is officially investigating the man’s connections to Australia. The probe aims to determine whether al-Hammami underwent radicalization while living in the country.
Reports indicate that al-Hammami was granted an Australian student visa in 2014 and was enrolled in studies between 2015 and 2017. His visa was reportedly canceled in 2019 after he failed to maintain enrollment in any course.
The Flydubai Flight Attack
The investigation follows a violent incident aboard Flydubai Flight 1073, traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During the flight, al-Hammami reportedly used a cockpit crash axe to assault Captain Smit Machchhar in a desperate attempt to seize control of the aircraft.
The attack caused a terrifying descent, with the jet dropping over 16,000 feet in roughly 30 seconds. The crisis was averted only after the severely injured captain managed to unlock the flight deck door, allowing passengers and crew to subdue the co-pilot. Two off-duty pilots eventually intervened to stabilize the aircraft, guiding it to a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
A History of Extremist Affiliations
Investigations into al-Hammami’s background have uncovered a troubling history. According to reports, his initial employer, the state-owned Oman Air, had previously barred him from flight duties after discovering his frequent visits to extremist websites. While he reportedly completed a deradicalization programme and was moved to administrative roles, he later secured a position with Flydubai in February 2026.
Authorities are now scrutinizing several key areas of his life:
- Syrian Background: Born to an Omani father and a Syrian mother, al-Hammami spent part of his youth in Syria during the civil war. Investigators are looking into whether his radicalization began amidst the conflict against the Bashar al-Assad government.
- Digital Footprint: An archived record of his deleted X (formerly Twitter) account contains over 3,000 screenshots of conservative and misogynistic commentary.
- International Ties: Investigators in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are examining whether al-Hammami acted alone or was supported by foreign entities, with specific focus on Iran.
During interrogations following the landing, al-Hammami reportedly confessed to his intention to deliberately crash the aircraft, stating he was "not afraid of death."