United Arab Emirates investigators say a flydubai co-pilot planned to crash a passenger plane into a terminal at Israel’s Ben-Gurion Airport. The pilot allegedly aimed to kill as many people as possible during an attempted hijacking on September 30.
UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi announced the findings, according to the Emirates News Agency. He said the attack was planned in advance and was intended as a suicide mission.
The suspect, 29-year-old Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly drew inspiration from the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Investigators said he had been exposed to extremist ideas from 2017, when he was studying in Australia.
According to Shamsi, Hammami told investigators that the idea of carrying out such an attack had influenced his decision to pursue a career in aviation. He also claimed to have planned and carried out the plot alone.
The case has raised questions about aviation security and how airlines assess staff who have access to aircraft controls. However, UAE investigators said Hammami met the professional and security requirements when flydubai hired him. They said the airline had no knowledge of his alleged plans or extremist views.
The incident involved Flight FZ1073, which was scheduled to travel from Dubai to Tel Aviv. During the flight, Hammami allegedly attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, with a cockpit crash axe.
Shamsi said investigators gathered accounts from passengers and crew to establish what happened inside the aircraft. Their statements helped explain how other people on board responded to the attack and how the plane was brought to safety.
A second flydubai captain was also on board. He was due to operate the return flight from Tel Aviv to Dubai. According to the attorney-general, he noticed that the cockpit door was repeatedly opening and closing.
The captain then used a security code to enter the cockpit. Once inside, he confronted Hammami as the situation became dangerous. Several passengers and one crew member also helped stop the alleged attacker.
Their actions helped prevent the aircraft from reaching its reported target. The plane was diverted and made a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The UAE attorney-general said the investigation had examined Hammami’s background and work history. Before joining flydubai, the Omani national had worked for Oman Air for about four years. He later held a brief position with Royal Air Maroc in 2025.
Hammami joined flydubai in January, according to the statement. Investigators said the airline had followed the required hiring standards and that its checks had not revealed the alleged intentions described in the case.
The findings have drawn attention to the challenge of identifying possible security threats among aviation workers. Pilots and other flight crew members hold positions of trust and receive access to areas that passengers cannot enter. Airlines must meet professional standards while also following security rules.
The case also highlights the role of crew members and passengers during an emergency. The accounts shared by investigators suggest that the actions of people on board helped prevent further danger after the alleged cockpit attack.
Authorities have not said that other people were involved in the plan. Shamsi said Hammami claimed to have acted alone, but the investigation remains open. Investigators are continuing to review the evidence and the events leading up to the incident.
The UAE Public Prosecution is expected to announce further findings as the case develops. Officials have not provided a final account of all the evidence or announced the outcome of the legal process.
The attempted hijacking has raised serious concerns because the alleged target was a busy passenger terminal. If carried out as described by investigators, the plan could have placed many lives at risk.
For now, the UAE investigation is focused on establishing the full facts, including the suspect’s motives, his preparation, and the events inside the aircraft. Officials say any new details will be made public as the inquiry continues.
