Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before joining airline, two Israeli officials say
By Alexander Cornwell and Maayan Lubell JERUSALEM, Oct 5 (Reuters) - The flydubai co-pilot who stabbed his captain in an alleged attempt to crash the plane has told UAE interrogators he planned the attack before he was hired by the Dubai state-owned airline, according to two Israeli officials with knowledge of the probe.
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.
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