'No terror link': Flydubai co-pilot likely acted alone - report

Hamam al-Hammami, the accused co-pilot in the flydubai incident (Image source: LinkedIn)

New reports suggest that the Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and trying to seize control of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv probably acted alone.An Israeli official told CNN that information gathered during the investigation so far suggested Hamam al-Hammami acted alone.

Another Israeli source said Israel had found no known link between the suspect and any group or government, while stressing that the investigation was still ongoing.The development comes as investigators examine whether al-Hammami made a further attempt to bring down the Boeing 737 after his initial attack on Captain Smit Machchhar failed. An investigation by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, cited by Ynet News, said investigators were examining whether the co-pilot moved the aircraft's two engine fuel switches from “Run” to “Cutoff” after taking control of the plane.According to the report, al-Hammami allegedly pushed the aircraft into a steep descent after disabling the autopilot, potentially attempting to crash it in the Saudi desert after passengers and crew began thwarting his attempt to seize the aircraft.

What happened inside the cockpit

The incident took place on September 30 aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.Al-Hammami allegedly attacked Machchhar with a cockpit crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.

Despite being wounded, Machchhar managed to activate the mechanism that opened the cockpit door, allowing cabin crew and passengers to enter and help subdue the co-pilot. The aircraft eventually made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.The UAE attorney general has described the incident as an attempted “terrorist act”. Investigations are being conducted by authorities in the UAE, Israel and Saudi Arabia.US president Donald Trump had earlier suggested that al-Hammami could be linked to Iran, saying it was “based on what I’m hearing”. He did not provide details. Israeli sources now say they have not identified a link to any group or government, although the investigation has not concluded.

Questions over his past

Al-Hammami, 29, is an Omani national who had previously worked for Oman Air. According to CNN, he was removed from his previous job after concerns about his extremist views.

He later joined Flydubai and had been working there for around eight months.Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has separately said al-Hammami had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination”, based on information gathered during questioning. He did not provide further details.The investigation has also raised questions over aviation security and the vetting of foreign flight crews.CNN reported that the names of all passengers and crew had been provided to Israeli authorities before the flight took off.

Israel's tax authority confirmed receiving the list, but the transportation ministry said its protocols did not include checking the names of flight crew members.The issue is particularly sensitive because Oman does not have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Netanyahu has said Israel had longstanding arrangements aimed at preventing pilots from countries without diplomatic ties from flying into the country and described the case as exposing a “loophole”.Israel has since ordered a review of security procedures for foreign civil aviation following the incident.