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The Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to take control of a Tel Aviv-bound flight had previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management at a UK university.
Omani national Hamam al Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft in what UAE authorities described as an attempted terrorist attack.
Buckinghamshire New University confirmed that Al Hammami had completed a distance-learning course in aviation management, but said he did not undertake any pilot training at the university.
The UAE prosecutor general said investigations are ongoing into the motive, circumstances and any possible connections.
Sources told the Associated Press that Al Hammami, who was born in the UAE and has a Syrian mother, had reportedly been banned from flying in Oman over concerns that he had adopted extremist views before being hired by Flydubai.
The flight, carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, reportedly dropped from about 33,000ft to 17,000ft in roughly a minute after the attack. Passengers and crew subdued Al Hammami before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where he was detained.
Captain Machchhar, who was seriously injured, has been praised for fighting to regain control of the cockpit and prevent a potential disaster.
Investigators are still examining whether Al Hammami acted alone or had links to an extremist group. Israeli investigators are assisting with the probe, while UAE authorities remain in the lead.
Source: Sky News
Omani national Hamam al Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and tried to take control of the aircraft in what UAE authorities described as an attempted terrorist attack.
Buckinghamshire New University confirmed that Al Hammami had completed a distance-learning course in aviation management, but said he did not undertake any pilot training at the university.
The UAE prosecutor general said investigations are ongoing into the motive, circumstances and any possible connections.
Sources told the Associated Press that Al Hammami, who was born in the UAE and has a Syrian mother, had reportedly been banned from flying in Oman over concerns that he had adopted extremist views before being hired by Flydubai.
The flight, carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, reportedly dropped from about 33,000ft to 17,000ft in roughly a minute after the attack. Passengers and crew subdued Al Hammami before the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, where he was detained.
Captain Machchhar, who was seriously injured, has been praised for fighting to regain control of the cockpit and prevent a potential disaster.
Investigators are still examining whether Al Hammami acted alone or had links to an extremist group. Israeli investigators are assisting with the probe, while UAE authorities remain in the lead.
Source: Sky News