Axe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot identified as Omani national with previous extremism concerns

The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain with an axe on an Israel-bound FlyDubai flight and trying to seize control has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national previously barred from flying on Oman’s airline over extremist-view concerns, officials said Saturday. The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, said the attacker used the cockpit’s crash axe and tried to take control during a steep descent, in what it called a “terrorist attack” on Wednesday. The incident involved a flight with 182 people aboard that was nearly brought down before passengers and others subdued the co-pilot. The report raised questions about FlyDubai’s vetting and how the co-pilot passed Israel’s security requirements, given Israel and Oman have no formal diplomatic ties.