Dubai/Tel Aviv: Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, accused of attempting to take control of a flydubai passenger aircraft last week, reportedly told UAE interrogators that he wanted to crash the plane in Israel as an act of “revenge for Gaza” and intended to die as a “martyr”, according to Israeli media reports.
Israel’s Shin Bet security agency has sent interrogators to the United Arab Emirates to participate in the questioning of al-Hammami, who is accused of attempting to carry out a terrorist attack aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, The Times of Israel reported, citing Israeli officials familiar with the investigation.
Co-Pilot Allegedly Planned to Crash Plane at Ben Gurion Airport
According to two Israeli officials cited in the report, al-Hammami told UAE investigators that he had planned to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport even before he was hired by flydubai.
Israeli Channel 12, citing two Israeli officials, reported that al-Hammami said he was acting “in revenge for Gaza” and wanted to “die as a martyr”. The claims have been attributed to the officials and have not been independently verified.
A source briefed on the UAE investigation reportedly said al-Hammami had previously operated a flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year and had considered hijacking and crashing that aircraft but ultimately abandoned the plan. Reuters also reported that investigators believe he had planned an attack before joining flydubai.
The Israeli broadcaster further reported that a Mossad official told Israeli Cabinet ministers on Sunday that al-Hammami had made brief visits in recent years to several countries hostile to Israel.
The two Israeli officials said al-Hammami told interrogators that he applied to work for flydubai after searching for airlines operating flights to Tel Aviv.
A third source said Israel was being kept continuously informed by the UAE about the investigation. The UAE prosecutor general has described the September 30 incident as a “terrorist attack”, while the investigation into the circumstances, motives and possible connections remains underway.
How the Flydubai Attack Was Foiled
The incident took place on September 30 aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 passengers and crew, most of them Israeli.
Al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit with an emergency crash axe while the aircraft was flying over the region. The plane subsequently experienced a dramatic descent of more than 14,000 feet before passengers and crew intervened.
According to a timeline reported by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, al-Hammami had requested a prayer break shortly before attacking Machchhar.
Despite being injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door and alert an off-duty pilot travelling in the passenger cabin. Passengers then rushed into the cockpit and helped subdue al-Hammami.
After the initial attempt was disrupted, al-Hammami allegedly tried to force the aircraft into a steep descent and damage the controls.
Two off-duty pilots travelling as passengers then took control of the aircraft, issued an emergency alert and diverted the flight to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia. The aircraft landed safely there. Reuters reported that the reserve flydubai crew helped regain control before the emergency landing.
Investigation Continues Across Countries
The incident has triggered a wider aviation-security investigation involving authorities in the UAE, Israel, Oman and other countries as investigators examine al-Hammami’s background, travel history, contacts and how he was cleared to operate an Israel-bound flight.
The UAE prosecutor general said investigators were examining physical and digital evidence as they sought to establish the circumstances, motives and any related connections.
Reports have also raised questions about whether al-Hammami had previously been flagged over alleged extremist views and how he was subsequently permitted to fly. Those issues remain part of the ongoing investigation.