Authorities in Australia and Israel are investigating the background and connections of an Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, as a UAE-led probe seeks to establish his motive and possible links.
The Australian Federal Police said the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team was examining the man’s links to Australia. The team comprises the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, according to reports by ABC and the BBC.
Australian media reported that the co-pilot was granted a student visa in 2014 and studied in the country between 2015 and 2017. His visa was canceled in 2019 after he was no longer enrolled in a course and consequently ceased to qualify for a student visa. ABC reported that the cancellation was not related to character grounds.
The investigation follows the UAE’s disclosure on Saturday that its preliminary findings indicated the co-pilot had attempted to carry out what authorities described as a “terrorist act”.
As per reports, UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the flight deck with a crash ax and tried to seize control of the aircraft. The investigation is continuing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, the motive and any possible connections.
Multiple media outlets have identified the co-pilot as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, although authorities have not officially confirmed his identity.
Questions have also emerged over the vetting process followed before he joined the UAE-based carrier.
Israeli authorities are separately examining how the Omani co-pilot came to be assigned to the Tel Aviv-bound flight. According to CNN, agencies involved in the investigation include Shin Bet, Mossad, the Israeli military and the Transportation Ministry.
The incident occurred aboard flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30. The co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit with a crash axe, leaving him seriously injured. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, transmitted emergency signals and rapidly descended more than 17,000 feet from an altitude of around 34,000 feet.
Despite being seriously injured and lying on the cockpit floor, Machchhar realized that the aircraft was losing altitude and made a final effort to open the cockpit door, according to the BBC.
Passengers were then able to overpower the alleged attacker. Two reserve pilots subsequently took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot was taken into custody following the emergency landing.
Machchhar was initially admitted to a nearby hospital and was later airlifted to Abu Dhabi for further treatment. He was reported to be in stable condition.
