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UAE Says Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned 9/11-Style Airport Attack
UAE officials say a co-pilot planned to take over a passenger plane and crash it into an airport in Israel.
They say he was inspired by the September 11 attacks and had studied the route on two earlier trips.
On September 30, officials say, he attacked the captain with an emergency axe.
A reserve pilot, a crew member and passengers stopped him and helped rescue the captain.
The reserve pilot and another pilot regained control of the plane.
They diverted it and landed safely in Saudi Arabia.
The suspect reportedly said he acted alone, but investigators are still checking for other connections.
The captain was injured.
Reports differ about whether the suspect was employed by Royal Air Maroc or only trained there before his application was rejected.
UAE prosecutors say Hamam Al Hammami planned to seize Flydubai flight FZ1073 and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal.
Investigators say the 29-year-old Omani co-pilot was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks and studied the route and airport on two earlier flights.
Authorities say he attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar with an emergency axe on September 30 while the flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
A reserve pilot, cabin crew member and passengers intervened; the aircraft was diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The suspect reportedly confessed to acting alone, but investigators are examining possible accomplices and connections; reports also differ over his Royal Air Maroc employment.
- Who
- UAE authorities identify the suspect as Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot; the captain was Smit Machchhar.
- What
- Authorities allege the co-pilot planned a suicide attack on Ben Gurion Airport by taking control of the aircraft.
- Where
- Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- The incident occurred on September 30; the UAE attorney general announced investigation findings on Friday.
- Why
- UAE prosecutors say the alleged plan aimed to cause the greatest possible loss of life and was inspired by the September 11 attacks.
UAE authorities’ account
Royal Air Maroc account reported by Reuters
Royal Air Maroc employment
UAE authorities’ account
The UAE attorney general’s account says the suspect joined Royal Air Maroc in early 2025 for several months.
Royal Air Maroc account reported by Reuters
Reuters reported that Royal Air Maroc said he trained with the airline for three months in 2025, but his application for employment was rejected.
Key facts
- Flight
- Flydubai FZ1073, from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Incident date
- September 30
- Suspect
- Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot, according to UAE authorities
- Alleged target
- Passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport
- Alleged weapon
- An emergency axe
- Landing
- Tabuk Airport, Saudi Arabia
- Investigation
- The suspect reportedly confessed to acting alone; investigators are checking evidence and possible accomplices or connections.
- Employment discrepancy
- UAE authorities said he joined Royal Air Maroc for several months in 2025; Reuters reported the airline said he trained there for three months but his employment application was rejected.
Quotes
UAE attorney general's statement
Statement cited by CNN describing the suspect’s alleged motives and career decision.
“The idea of carrying out a similar operation using an aircraft became firmly established in his mind, which, according to his confessions, was connected to his decision to pursue a career in aviation.”
firstpost.com
Sources
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