UAE authorities disclosed that the co‑pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073, which departed Dubai for Tel Aviv last Wednesday, told interrogators he had plotted to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport before he was hired by the airline. The admission comes from two Israeli officials with knowledge of the ongoing probe.
Background of the incident
According to the United Arab Emirates prosecutor general, the Omani national—identified by some sources as Hamam al‑Hammami—attacked the captain with an emergency crash axe shortly after the aircraft entered Israeli airspace. The pilot, Indian national Smit Machchhar, survived the assault and managed to open the cockpit door, allowing a reserve flydubai pilot on board to take control and land the plane safely at a regional airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia.
More than 170 passengers and crew, the majority of them Israeli, were on board. Passengers and crew subdued the co‑pilot, preventing a potential disaster. Saudi authorities detained the suspect and later transferred him to the UAE for further questioning.
Planned attack revealed
Two Israeli officials said the co‑pilot told UAE interrogators that he had applied for a position at the state‑owned carrier after searching for airlines that fly to Tel Aviv. A third source, briefed on the UAE investigation, added that the co‑pilot had previously planned to crash a flight into Ben Gurion Airport on a separate occasion earlier this year, but chose not to act at that time. The source suggested the co‑pilot may have known someone on board during the earlier flight, though the reason for abandoning that plan remains unclear.
International response
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by reiterating that pilots from countries with which Israel lacks diplomatic relations—such as Oman—are not permitted to operate flights to Israel. He ordered a review of foreign airlines serving Israeli destinations to ensure compliance with security protocols.
The United Arab Emirates has not announced formal charges against the co‑pilot, nor confirmed whether he has legal representation. Oman has not commented on the matter. Both UAE and Israeli authorities declined to comment further at the time of reporting.
Broader investigation
An Australian multi‑agency counter‑terrorism unit is also examining possible links between the co‑pilot and Australia. Records show the suspect studied at RMIT University in Melbourne about a decade ago, raising questions about any overseas connections that may have influenced his motives.
The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges facing civil aviation in the region and highlights the importance of rapid crew response and international cooperation in averting potential terrorist attacks.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
