A FlyDubai co-pilot is under investigation for allegedly trying to harm his captain during a flight to Israel. Reports suggest that the co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, plotted to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. According to Israeli media, al-Hammami planned to carry on the flight as if everything was normal, then seek permission to land before executing his plan to crash the aircraft into a building or another plane at the airport.
Investigators from Saudi Arabia and the UAE are looking into the matter, but it appears that Israeli authorities have not yet spoken directly to al-Hammami. One source familiar with the investigation stated that he had considered the attack before even joining FlyDubai.
The incident occurred on Flight FZ1073, which was on its way from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Witness accounts indicate that the co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit, leading to a chaotic situation. Passengers and other crew members eventually intervened, allowing the pilots to divert the plane to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi confirmed that al-Hammami’s actions were perceived as an attempt to commit a terrorist act. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover more details about what led to the attack and whether there are any connections to wider networks.
The UAE Public Prosecution has stated that more information will be provided once the investigation is complete.
