Co-pilot accused of trying to hijack Israel-bound flydubai flight ID’d – was previously banned from flying over radical views

The flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain and trying to hijack an Israel-bound flight was identified as Hamam al-Hammami – who was previously banned from flying by Oman over fears he became radicalized, sources said.

The aviator, who was arrested after the frighening mid-air attack Wednesday, used to work for Oman Air, but was let go when radical ideology was found on his cell phone, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Despite the ban, the Omani national was still hired by the Dubai-based airline, flying the sensitive route connecting the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

It was not immediately clear if Oman shared concerns about the pilot’s radicalization with other countries or airlines, according to The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the pilot’s name.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that “the attacker underwent Islamist radicalization,” and that “he intended to crash the plane with all its passengers on board.”

“We are now investigating whether he was sent, and whoever sent him will pay a very heavy price,” Netanyahu said in the statement.

Here’s the latest on the Israel-bound plane suspected terror attack:

• Hero flydubai passenger still covered in blood meets Netanyahu as passengers arrive in Israel after hijacking attempt
• Pilot arrested for attempting to crash passenger plane in ‘jihadist terrorist attack’: Israeli officials
• Israel-bound plane pilot stabbed by co-pilot, causing jet to plunge 18K feet: They ‘tried to do 9/11’
• Graphic video shows blood-drenched pilot clinging to life after ‘attempted terror attack’

Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was carrying 182 people on Wednesday when the Omani co-pilot allegedly launched the attack, causing the plane to plummet 18,000 feet in a terrifying nosedive.

The captain, Smit Machchhar, staved off his attacker, allowing heroic passengers and off-duty pilots to leap into action and gain control of the out-of-control flight.

Wednesday’s mid-air attack represented a significant security failure, according to aviation-security analysts. 

Although a screening error might have allowed the weapon allegedly used by al-Hammami onto the aircraft, analysts told The Journal that he should have been detected and caught long before reaching the airport. 

The co-pilot, whom Israel’s defense minister called “a jihadist terrorist attack” Wednesday, had worked for flydubai for less than a year.

All pilots working for the Dubai-based airline undergo security screening before flying and medical checks at least once a year, a former crewmember and current Emirates pilot told the publication.

First officers graduating to captain status must undergo in-house psychology checks but it is unknown if the Omani national underwent a similar check, The Journal reported.

Israel and the UAE are known to have high security protocols at the airports, with Israeli airlines flying into Dubai following stricter security measures than other countries flying the same route, according to The Journal.

Israel has long called on Dubai airport officials to tighten security for flights bound for Tel Aviv, a country official said. 

In the aftermath of the attack, flydubai has halted all flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv until further notice.