Australia Investigates Links with Flydubai Co-pilot
Authorities in Australia are delving into potential connections with a Flydubai co-pilot, following a troubling incident on a flight to Israel. The co-pilot allegedly tried to seize control of the airplane, which necessitated an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, as the situation was diffused by passengers.
The Australian Federal Police is spearheading the investigation to determine the nature and extent of any ties the co-pilot, identified in media reports as Hamam al-Hammami, might have with Australia. This probe includes collaboration with state police forces as well as the nation’s security agency.
Background checks revealed that the co-pilot arrived in Australia in 2014 on a student visa and pursued studies from 2015 through 2017. Although his student status was later revoked in 2019 due to disenrollment, officials are evaluating whether his time in Australia might have played a role in his reported radicalisation.
The dramatic events unfolded on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, where the co-pilot, identified as an Omani national, allegedly attacked the aircraft’s captain with a crash axe, compelling passengers and backup crew members to intervene and avert disaster. This forced the plane to descend rapidly before making a diverged landing.
In the aftermath, the Saudi authorities detained the co-pilot for further questioning. Meanwhile, Capt Smit Machchhar, the initial pilot, had sustained injuries and was transported for medical treatment. His actions during the crisis, alongside those of the reserve pilots, were crucial to safely landing the aircraft.
The investigation initiated by the UAE’s top legal official aims to uncover motives behind this potential act of aggression, which prosecutors suspect may have been an attempt at terrorism. The ongoing inquiry is scrutinising his career trajectory, including prior employment at Oman Air, where he encountered setbacks due to expressed radical opinions.
Additionally, al-Hammami’s academic record at Buckinghamshire New University in the UK has come under review, considering his recent graduation in aviation management.
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on Unsplash
