Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before joining airline, two Israeli officials say
Another source said Hamam al-Hammami also operated a flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year and intended to hijack and crash the plane then, but opted not to.
Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, who was aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, allegedly planned the attack before being hired by the airline, according to Israeli officials. The incident occurred during a flight bound for Israel from Dubai. The co-pilot attacked the pilot with an axe, intending to crash the plane into Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv.
However, passengers and crew intervened, allowing the plane to land safely in Saudi Arabia. The pilot, Smit Machchhar, survived the ordeal. The attack was deemed a "terrorist attack" by the UAE prosecutor general. Israel is investigating the incident, considering the incident due to the co-pilot's citizenship from Oman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered a review of foreign airlines flying to Israel following the attack.
Written by urgent.news from Business Recorder's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before hired by airline, two Israeli officials say brecorder.com
- Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before hired by airline, two Israeli officials say al-monitor.com
- Ex-EU officials call for sanctions on Israeli E1 project rte.ie
- Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before joining airline, two Israeli officials say theage.com.au
