Report says security gaps allowed flydubai cockpit attack to proceed
A Wall Street Journal investigation, as summarised by India Today, says warnings about flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami were not shared widely and that vetting gaps in Oman, the UAE and Israel allowed him to operate a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight before an alleged cockpit attack.
Security warnings, airline vetting failures and gaps in aviation oversight allowed flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami to operate a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight before allegedly attacking the captain, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation summarised by India Today. Omani authorities had reportedly reviewed al-Hammami’s online activity while he worked for Oman Air and concluded that his interest in radical ideology was incompatible with flying duties. He was banned from flying, placed in a deradicalisation programme and moved to a desk job, but people familiar with the matter said Oman did not share the concerns more broadly.
When flydubai hired him in February, the airline apparently did not contact Oman about his previous employment. It conducted a criminal background check, according to one source cited in the report. Al-Hammami later flew the Dubai-Tel Aviv route several times.
UAE authorities are investigating employees involved in his hiring, while flydubai declined to comment during the investigation. The report also identifies a missed opportunity in Israel. Although foreign airlines must submit passenger and crew lists, Israel’s Transportation Ministry said it had not believed it had the authority or expertise to vet foreign crews.
It said flydubai had agreed to check the backgrounds and nationalities of its pilots. On September 30, al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe aboard Flight FZ1073. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 descended more than 16,000 feet in about 30 seconds before recovering.
Machchhar opened the cockpit door, passengers overpowered al-Hammami and two off-duty pilots helped land the aircraft safely at Tabuk. Al-Hammami was transferred to UAE custody; Machchhar was recovering in hospital.
Vertrix News compared the attributed reports listed below and wrote this independent synthesis. Claims remain attributed where independent verification was unavailable.