Counterterrorism Probe Examines Co-Pilot’s Australia Ties

UAE authorities are investigating Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami over an alleged attempt to seize control of flight FZ1073 on September 30, attacking captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency axe. Passengers and other pilots subdued him, and the aircraft diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, with everyone aboard surviving. Israeli and other reports say al-Hammami planned the attack before joining Flydubai and intended to crash the plane into Ben-Gurion Airport; reports also mention central Tel Aviv as a possible target, while his motives and any outside connections remain under examination. The probe has raised questions about his hiring and clearance to fly the Israel route, amid reports that Omani authorities had previously raised concerns about his views. The UAE prosecutor general has called the incident a terrorist act, and reports say al-Hammami could face the death penalty; formal charges have not been publicly announced.