An Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to sabotage a Flydubai flight carrying more than 170 passengers had previously been barred from flying in Oman after authorities reportedly identified him as a security concern, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal and CNN.
The co-pilot, identified as Hamam Alhamami, was accused of stabbing the Indian captain, Captain Smit Machhar, during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv earlier this week. The aircraft was subsequently diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Alhamami is an Omani national whose father is Omani and mother is Syrian. He was born in the United Arab Emirates and reportedly spent significant periods outside Oman, including in Syria.
The report said that while undergoing training as a co-pilot with Oman Air in 2024, authorities allegedly found extremist-related material in his possession. He was subsequently prevented from flying, although he was allowed to continue working in an administrative capacity.
Despite the restriction, Alhamami was later employed by Dubai-based Flydubai, allowing him to work on the sensitive Dubai-Tel Aviv route, the report said.
Media reports have alleged that Alhamami intended to crash the aircraft in Israel. However, details of the alleged motive and plan have not been independently established in the information available.
CNN reported that Alhamami had worked for Flydubai for only about eight months before the incident. A LinkedIn profile bearing his name, which has since been deleted, reportedly stated that he had worked for Oman Air for seven years and left the airline in February 2025.
The profile also indicated that he joined Royal Air Maroc in June 2025 and left the airline in January this year before joining Flydubai.
According to CNN, two posts appeared on the deleted profile within about nine hours of the Flydubai incident. One reportedly included cockpit footage from a Boeing 737 Max and imagery involving an El Al aircraft, followed by images associated with extremist figures.
Another post reportedly contained AI-generated images of Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, accompanied by poetry referring to rejecting humiliation, not fearing death and defending dignity.
CNN also reported that a deleted X account associated with Alhamami portrayed him as deeply religious and misogynistic.
During the incident, the Boeing 737 was reportedly flying at around 34,000 feet when it suddenly began descending at a steep rate, eventually reaching about 15,600 feet.
Despite being injured, Captain Machhar managed to open the cockpit door. Crew members and passengers then intervened and restrained Alhamami.
Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed a chaotic scene inside the aircraft, with the injured captain heard saying that his co-pilot had attacked him.
Several passengers helped move Alhamami away from the cockpit. One passenger, identified as Yaniv Hayun, reportedly restrained the co-pilot and moved him away from the cockpit. A dentist among the passengers also provided emergency assistance to the injured captain.
Two alternate pilots seated toward the rear of the aircraft subsequently took control of the plane and diverted it toward Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
The reports cited above describe allegations and information attributed to media investigations; authorities have yet to publicly establish all details surrounding the incident.
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