AP report: Axe-wielding FlyDubai co-pilot had been flagged over extremism concerns
The new details raised questions about how thoroughly FlyDubai vets potential employees, and how the co-pilot's presence on a flight filled with Israeli passengers got past Israel's strict security protocols.
The co-pilot of a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv attempted to carry out a "terrorist attack" with an axe during the flight. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, attacked the captain with a crash axe and tried to take control of the plane.
The incident occurred on Wednesday on flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with 182 people on board. Al-Hammami's actions caused the plane to plummet, but passengers and crew were able to subdue him and prevent a crash.
According to Fortune, al-Hammami had been barred from flying on Oman's airline due to concerns about extremist views. The incident has raised questions about how thoroughly FlyDubai vets potential employees and how al-Hammami was able to fly on a plane filled with Israeli passengers despite Israel's strict security protocols.
Brief written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour, Fortune, The Indian Express, Business Recorder, Global News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
