UAE Says FlyDubai Co-pilot Attacked Captain with Cockpit's Crash Axe

The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight before passengers and others tackled him is an Omani national named Hamam al-Hammami, three people with knowledge of the situation, including a Gulf and Western diplomat, said Saturday. 

The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, said the co-pilot attacked with the cockpit’s crash axe and tried to take control of the plane in a “terrorist attack."

The people who identified the co-pilot spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to



speak to the media. The Gulf diplomat said investigations are underway to establish whether he acted as a “lone wolf or has any connection with any extremist groups.” 

The co-pilot, who officials said nearly crashed the sharply plummeting flight with 182 people aboard, was barred from flying by Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views, a separate person familiar with the matter said.

The co-pilot was then hired by UAE-based airline FlyDubai, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.