Flydubai co-pilot allegedly radicalised while in Melbourne accused of plotting 9/11-style attack

The co-pilot accused of trying to crash a passenger plane into an Israeli airport was allegedly radicalised while studying at a Melbourne university, with investigators revealing he had allegedly spent years planning a September 11-style terrorist attack.

Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, 29, is accused of attempting to hijack flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30 to deliberately crash it into a passenger terminal at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

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In a major update to the investigation, United Arab Emirates Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi revealed the former RMIT student had developed extremist views while living in Australia in 2017.

According to UAE authorities, al-Hammami has since confessed in the presence of his lawyer to planning and carrying out the attack alone, intending to kill as many people as possible.

Plot years in the making

Authorities allege al-Hammami used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to study the route and familiarise himself with the airport before attempting to execute his plan on a third flight.

On September 30, he allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency axe inside the cockpit as the aircraft travelled towards Israel.

Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing others on board to intervene.

A forensic examination later confirmed the captain suffered head injuries consistent with being struck by an emergency axe.

Another pilot travelling on board became suspicious after noticing the cockpit door repeatedly opening and closing.

Upon entering, he discovered the assault and intervened alongside a cabin crew member and passengers to restrain al-Hammami.

Two pilots assigned to the return flight then took control of the plane, diverting it to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.

Radicalisation allegedly began in Melbourne

Investigators allege al-Hammami’s radicalisation began during his time in Melbourne, where he became immersed in extremist literature and online material glorifying terrorist organisations and suicide bombings.

He later became fixated on the September 11 attacks in the United States, allegedly deciding to pursue a career in aviation intending to carry out a similar atrocity.

Investigators said he prepared himself mentally and physically by consuming propaganda and even taking boxing lessons.

His aviation career took him through several international airlines, including Oman Air between 2020 and 2024 and Royal Air Maroc in 2025, before he joined flydubai in January this year.

Despite undergoing the airline’s recruitment and security checks, investigators said there was nothing to indicate he held extremist views or intended to carry out an attack.

Australian connections under investigation

The investigation has also uncovered details regarding his time in Australia.

Granted an Australian student visa in 2014, al-Hammami lived in Melbourne between 2015 and 2017 before his visa was cancelled in 2019 after he left the country.

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Earlier this week, RMIT confirmed al-Hammami had previously studied at the university but had not completed an engineering qualification.

During questioning, al-Hammami allegedly told investigators he attended a mosque affiliated with RMIT and met people associated with an Islamic centre.

He claimed the mosque received support through an association linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Authorities have not confirmed that the centre or anyone associated with it was involved in the alleged plot.

The Australian Federal Police and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation continue to investigate his time in the country and potential local connections.

 Al-Hammami remains in custody in the UAE.