Terror cells inside foreign airlines 'certainly a possibility,' retired pilot warns

A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former Delta Airlines pilot has warned that terror cells could exist within foreign airlines, calling the recent cockpit attack on a FlyDubai flight a serious concern for aviation security. The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, when a co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain of a flight bound for Tel Aviv, forcing the aircraft into a dangerous dive before passengers took control and the plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national, was reportedly using the cockpit's crash axe during the attack. According to a Middle Eastern source, al-Hammami had been barred from flying with Oman Air in 2024 due to concerns about his extremist views. The source added that al-Hammami moved to Dubai later that year. The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, stated that the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with the crash axe, incapacitating him and causing the aircraft to plunge before passengers on board seized control of the plane. Al-Hammami, who spent a significant portion of his life outside Oman, including time living with his mother, who is from Syria, was not checked by FlyDubai against Oman Air's records prior to his employment. A Gulf diplomat informed The Associated Press that investigators are examining whether al-Hammami acted as a lone wolf or had connections with extremist groups. The Associated Press separately reported that Oman had barred al-Hammami from flying over concerns he had adopted extremist views. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incident as an act of terrorism, stating that the attacker had undergone "Islamic radicalization." He claimed the attacker aimed to crash the passengers on board. The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli authorities are investigating whether the suspect acted alone or received assistance from others. The United Arab Emirates has not commented on the suspect's background, stating officials do not wish to influence the ongoing investigation. Retired Lt. Col. Buzz Patterson, a former Delta pilot, expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing the difficulty of detecting radicalization among pilots. He noted that while airlines conduct thorough background checks, personality changes or radicalization can be hard to identify once a pilot is employed. Patterson highlighted that pilots often work with unfamiliar colleagues, making it challenging to assess their mental health or intentions. Patterson also pointed out that the presence of a crash axe in the cockpit, a standard feature on Boeing 737s, was used in the attack. He called the use of the tool "savage," noting its potential to cause severe harm. He urged the Department of Justice to investigate the possibility of terror cells operating within foreign airlines, suggesting such threats might be more prevalent abroad than domestically. FlyDubai has suspended flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv following the attack. The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of airline pilot vetting procedures and aviation security, particularly concerning flights serving Israel. Aviation security analysts have criticized the episode as a significant security failure, questioning how warning signs may have gone unnoticed before the co-pilot entered the cockpit.