UAE Probes Flydubai Cockpit Attack and Screening

A UAE-led investigation is examining how a Flydubai copilot accused of attacking the captain and trying to take control of a flight to Israel was cleared to operate the September 30 service, as accounts differ over what security information Israeli authorities received before departure. The United Arab Emirates has described the cockpit incident as a terrorist attack. The flight, FZ1073, was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and landed safely. The sources report that the copilot attacked the captain with an emergency axe; they do not establish the motive or whether anyone else was involved. The investigation remains underway. The copilot was identified in reports as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami. Accounts say Oman had previously barred him from flying over concerns about alleged extremist views. A Gulf diplomat said he underwent standard security checks before Flydubai hired him, but the extent of those checks is unclear. The available information does not establish whether Oman shared its concerns with the airline or other governments. The reports also conflict over the handling of flight information.