Flydubai co-pilot flagged for extremism before crash ax attack
The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of Flydubai Flight FZ1073 was suspended by Oman Air in 2024 after being flagged as a security risk. He was later hired by Flydubai, where he served as first officer on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route.
- 2024: Oman Air grounded him after he was found with materials linked to radical ideology.
- 8 months was all the time he had worked for Flydubai before the incident, per an Israeli official.
- One source told Fox News that Flydubai did not check with Oman Air before hiring him.
- Oman Air allowed him to continue in an administrative role during the one-year flight ban.
Why it matters: The suspect is cooperating with investigators and has indicated his intent was to crash the aircraft in Israel, according to sources briefed on the investigation.
- Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu called the incident terrorism and said the suspect had undergone what he described as "Islamist radical indoctrination."
- It remains unclear whether Omani authorities shared their concerns about the suspect with other governments or airlines.
How 50 sources split on this story
Where they split: Outlets agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis: right-leaning outlets focus on how the suspect reached a Tel Aviv flight despite a known ban, while left-leaning outlets center on the intelligence failure and ongoing investigation.
Associated Press6dCo-pilot in FlyDubai attack is identified, and other Mideast developments
Deutsche Welle6dUAE investigators say Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with ax in attempted 'terrorist' actCNCTV News6dAxe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns
Financial Times6dCo-pilot used axe to carry out ‘terrorist act’ on Flydubai flight
Jerusalem Post6dFlydubai co-pilot attacked pilot with axe, attempted 'terrorist' attack, UAE saysNewNews4Jax6dAxe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns
Newsweek6dWho Is Hamam Al Hammami? FlyDubai Co-Pilot Alleged Attacker ID’d: ReportsTNDThe National Desk6dTerror-related images found on social media tied to FlyDubai attack suspect: reportTITimes of Israel6dUAE says flydubai copilot used cockpit emergency ax to attack captain in ‘terrorist act’
Bloomberg6dUAE Says FlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Emergency Ax in Crash Attempt
CNBC6dFlyDubai plane attack by co-pilot was an attempted 'terrorist' act, UAE says
Fortune6dFlyDubai co-pilot used cockpit’s crash axe to try seizing control of flight and was barred from flying by Oman due to concerns over extremist views | FortuneLeft coverage, 10 sources: The left frames this as a systemic intelligence and aviation-security failure, centering the investigation's open questions and the heroism of passengers who averted disaster.
CNN1w+The Flydubai attack suspect was removed by another airline over concerns about his extremist views, sources say
ABC News1w+Suspect in FlyDubai incident was previously identified as security risk: Officials
The Independent6dIsrael flight hijacking latest: FlyDubai co-pilot who used crash axe in ‘terror incident’ studied at UK universityTBGThe Boston Globe6dAxe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns
The New York Times6dOmani Co-Pilot on FlyDubai Flight Is Said to Have Extremist Views
Al Jazeera6dWho is the mystery co-pilot behind the Flydubai attack?
Los Angeles Times6dFlyDubai copilot allegedly wielded cockpit ax in 'terrorist act'
NBC News6dFlydubai pilot attacked captain with cockpit’s crash axe in attempted terrorist attack, UAE says
The Guardian6dFlydubai co-pilot used crash axe to attack captain, says UAE
The Washington Post6dFlyDubai co-pilot used crash ax to attack captain, UAE saysRight coverage, 22 sources: The right frames this as a preventable breakdown in vetting and oversight, pressing on why a pilot banned in his home country was allowed onto a sensitive route to Israel.
RedState6dOmani Co-Pilot Now Identified, and More Details Are Out About 'Terrorist Act'
Fox News6dFlyDubai co-pilot accused of stabbing captain identified as 29-year-old Omani national
The Epoch Times6dCo-Pilot Used Crash Axe in Attempted Terrorist Attack on Israel-Bound Flight, UAE Says
Wall Street Journal6dFlyDubai Co-Pilot Used Crash Ax in Attack, Says U.A.E.
Breitbart News6dUAE Calls Flydubai Attack ‘Terrorist Act’ for First Time
Daily Mail6dBritish-educated Flydubai terrorist was found with al-Qaeda propaganda and plans to target Israeli airplanes three years ago - but was still allowed to fly
New York Post6dFlydubai co-pilot used crash ax to hack at pilot in attempted 'terrorist attack': UAE official
PJ Media6dIdentity of FlyDubai Hijacker Revealed, Possible 9/11 Tie
The Daily Wire6dFlydubai Hijacker Identified As Omani Citizen Who Struggled To Find a Wife
Washington Examiner6dFlydubai co-pilot attacked captain with crash axe in hijacking
BizPac Review6dWould-be FlyDubai hijacker had been GROUNDED in 2024 due to ‘radical’ views
Citizen Free Press6dTerrorist pilot (from oman) previously identified as ‘security risk.’What’s next: Israeli officials are expected to question the suspect in the UAE as part of the Emirati-led probe.
- Israeli agencies — including Shin Bet, Mossad, the military, and the Transportation Ministry — are investigating how he joined the crew.
- Did Oman Air or Omani authorities share their concerns about the suspect with other countries or carriers?
- Did Flydubai know about the Oman Air ban before hiring him, and if so, why was he assigned to the Tel Aviv route?
- Did the suspect act alone, or did he have assistance — a question Netanyahu said Israel is actively investigating?