The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a flydubai passenger aircraft travelling from Dubai to Israel allegedly planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport, according to new details from the investigation.
Reuters reported on Monday, October 5, that the Omani co-pilot told investigators in the United Arab Emirates that he had planned the attack before he was hired by flydubai.
Two Israeli officials with knowledge of the investigation told Reuters that the co-pilot had disclosed the alleged plan during questioning by UAE authorities.
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A separate source briefed on the UAE investigation said the co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv.
The latest revelation adds a new dimension to the incident involving flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30 when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain inside the cockpit.
Co-Pilot Allegedly Planned Attack Before Joining flydubai
According to the Reuters report, the co-pilot allegedly told UAE interrogators that he had conceived the attack before joining the airline.
The two Israeli officials said he had searched for airlines operating flights to Tel Aviv before applying for a position with flydubai.
The claim has not been presented as a final finding by the UAE authorities, and investigators are still working to establish the full circumstances and motive behind the incident.
The UAE has not announced formal charges against the suspect.
The co-pilot has been identified by sources as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, although UAE authorities and flydubai have not publicly confirmed his identity.
What Happened on Flight FZ1073?
Flight FZ1073 was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew when the incident occurred on September 30.
The UAE Attorney-General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, subsequently said investigators determined that the co-pilot had attempted to carry out a terrorist act.
According to the UAE prosecutor, the co-pilot attacked the captain inside the cockpit with a crash axe and attempted to take control of the aircraft.
Passengers and crew members eventually intervened, while the aircraft was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely in Tabuk.
The UAE prosecutor said the investigation was continuing, including efforts to determine the suspect’s motives, possible links to other people and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Earlier Flight Also Under Investigation
The latest Reuters report also contains another significant allegation.
A source briefed on the UAE investigation said the co-pilot had operated a flight to Tel Aviv earlier this year and allegedly intended to hijack and crash that aircraft as well.
The source said he ultimately abandoned that plan. It was not immediately clear why he changed his mind, although the source said the co-pilot was believed to know someone who was onboard the earlier flight.
The claim remains part of the ongoing investigation and has not been independently established by a court.
Investigation Continues
The new allegations are likely to increase scrutiny of how the co-pilot was recruited, vetted and cleared to operate an international passenger flight.
Authorities in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Israel are examining different aspects of the incident, while Australian authorities are also investigating the suspect’s links to Australia.
For now, investigators have confirmed that the cockpit attack occurred and that UAE authorities consider it an attempted terrorist act. However, details about the alleged plan to target Ben Gurion Airport and the suspect’s actions before joining flydubai remain subject to investigation.
The UAE authorities have said the final findings will be announced after the necessary investigative procedures, technical examinations and analysis of physical and digital evidence are completed.
