Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into airport, Israeli media reports
The flydubai co-pilot allegedly tells investigators he intended to continue flying normally before crashing into the main airport in Israel.
A Flydubai pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly stabbed a colleague in a flight over the Middle East, has reportedly revealed his plans to crash a commercial plane carrying 174 passengers. Israeli news outlets are reporting that the pilot intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion airport. The pilot is being interrogated in the United Arab Emirates, according to Israeli media.
The flight, bound for Tel Aviv from Dubai on Wednesday, was labeled a terrorist attack by the UAE prosecutor general. A reserve Flydubai pilot took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia, where the co-pilot was detained and later transferred to the UAE. The incident involved a passenger struggling with the pilot, and passengers from Israel were among the victims.
Australian sources are investigating potential links to Mr Al-Hammami, including his time spent studying in Australia between 2015 and 2017. The Joint Counter Terrorism Team is examining the possibility of radicalization during his time in Australia. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that the co-pilot was subjected to radical Islamist indoctrination and showed signs of suicidal tendencies.
The incident has raised questions about security lapses in Israel's vetting process for foreign airline crews and the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot's assignment to the flight to Tel Aviv.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Flydubai co-pilot allegedly tried to crash plane after hijack attempt failed timesofindia.indiatimes.com
