Flydubai co-pilot who attacked Smit Machchhar, inspired by 9/11 attacks, made two visits to Ben Gurion Airport | Updates
A preliminary UAE investigation found that flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami was inspired by the 9/11 attacks and allegedly planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal
The Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, of the flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, attacked the flight captain and attempted to crash the aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport, according to a preliminary investigation. His motive, revealed by the UAE's Attorney General, was inspired by the 9/11 attacks and his desire to carry out a similar terrorist operation with the goal of causing maximum casualties.
Al-Hammami had taken two previous flights to Ben Gurion Airport to familiarize himself with the route and airport. He had been influenced by extremist publications and online material, becoming increasingly radicalized since 2017 while studying in Australia. The pilot who intervened and prevented the plane from crashing was assigned to the return flight and discovered the cockpit door being opened and closed unusually.
Despite being seriously injured, the flight captain locked it and subdued the suspect, with the help of others. The investigation concluded that Al-Hammami fulfilled the employment criteria, but no indications of his extremist views were found during the hiring process.
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