{
  "id": 12052255,
  "title": "Omani co-pilot may have shut off flydubai plane’s engines after Tel Aviv crash plan failed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/omani-co-pilot-may-have-shut-off-flydubai-planes-engines-after-tel",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T02:01:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Indian Express",
    "slug": "the-indian-express",
    "url": "https://indianexpress.com/article/world/omani-co-pilot-may-have-shut-off-flydubai-engines-10906779/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An Omani co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, accused of assaulting his captain on a flydubai flight, may have deactivated the engines of the Boeing 737, according to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera. The newspaper claims investigators are examining whether he moved the two engine fuel switches from the Run position to the Cutoff. Initially, al-Hammami planned to kill Captain Smit Machchhar, fly the plane to Tel Aviv, and crash it into a tall building, but when that failed, he allegedly attempted to crash the jet in the desert. The plane plummeted 16,000 feet in around 30 seconds before passengers and two off-duty pilots regained control and landed the aircraft at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Passengers and crew have described the attack, with one woman hearing thudding from the cockpit and alerting others. Corriere della Sera's account is based on flight crew reports, airport staff, air traffic controllers, flight-tracking data, and evidence from the struggle in the cockpit. US officials and a former Israeli security expert suggest that the incident may have been carried out by a lone attacker. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that investigators are exploring the possibility of external involvement.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami may have shut down plane's engines.",
    "Flight intended to crash into Tel Aviv building before desert crash.",
    "Passengers regained control, landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The alleged actions of the Omani co-pilot, if confirmed, suggest a significant breach of cockpit security and raise questions about the vetting and monitoring of flight crew members.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}