{
  "id": 12041107,
  "title": "Flydubai attack update: Co-pilot joined airline for its Israel routes, planned to kill Smit Machchhar in cockpit and crash jet into Israeli airport",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/flydubai-attack-update-co-pilot-joined-airline-for-its-israel-routes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T00:49:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/flydubai-attack-update-co-pilot-joined-airline-for-its-israel-routes-planned-to-kill-smit-machchhar-in-cockpit-and-crash-jet-into-israeli-airport-101791159975722.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly attempted to crash a Flydubai aircraft into a Tel Aviv airport, had planned to kill Captain Smit Machchhar and then take control of the plane. Al-Hammami, a former engineering student in Melbourne, reportedly selected Flydubai because it operated flights to Israel. He had been barred from flying by Oman due to his extremist views but was allowed to operate the flight to Israel. Israeli authorities have launched a joint investigation, and Australian counter-terrorism authorities are reviewing al-Hammami's background.",
  "summary": "Hamam al-Hammami told investigators that he had planned to fly the aircraft to Tel Aviv before crashing into a building or another plane at Ben Gurion Airport.",
  "key_points": [
    "Co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami planned to crash Flydubai plane into Tel Aviv airport.",
    "Al-Hammami targeted Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit.",
    "Flydubai routes included flights to Israel."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The alleged cockpit attack reveals a security gap allowing a pilot barred in one country to fly in another, raising concerns about vetting standards for airline crew with extremist views.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Netanyahu orders security review of flights to Israel after flydubai attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/netanyahu-orders-security-review-of-flights-to-israel-after-flydubai",
        "published": "2026-10-04T21:54:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Election panel orders Netanyahu to remove 'election propaganda' videos",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/election-panel-orders-netanyahu-to-remove-election-propaganda-videos",
        "published": "2026-10-05T00:30:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Netanyahu orders security review of flights to Israel after Flydubai attack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/netanyahu-orders-security-review-of-flights-to-israel-after-flydubai",
        "published": "2026-10-05T01:58:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}