Hamam al‑Hammami, a 32‑year‑old co‑pilot from Oman, stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar during flydubai Flight 123’s leg from Dubai to Tel Aviv, attempting to seize the cockpit.
The Indian captain, wounded twice, pulled the cockpit door open, letting a handful of Israeli passengers wrestle the attacker. A mother of two clutched her infant as the aircraft lurched, shouting, ‘We’re safe.’ The crew’s swift response kept the plane from veering toward the runway at Ben Gurion.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the suspect had been “Islamist radical indoctrinated” and that the incident exposed gaps in vetting foreign pilots.
Omani civil aviation officials had barred al‑Hammami from flying after uncovering extremist content in his personal files, including links to jihadist propaganda.
He was arrested by UAE Federal Police on 19 March and is currently under interrogation, with prosecutors threatening a trial in a federal court.
Israel has announced it will re‑evaluate pilot clearance for foreign carriers, a move that could delay flights from nations lacking diplomatic ties.