Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Reports Say Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Attack Before Hiring
A co-pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv is accused of attacking the captain.
Reports say he told investigators he had planned an attack before joining flydubai.
He allegedly chose the airline because it flew to Tel Aviv.
Some reports say he wanted to take control of the plane and crash it in Israel.
The accounts differ on exactly where he intended to crash and what other targets he may have considered.
The captain fought back and opened the cockpit door.
Passengers and crew helped restrain the co-pilot.
Other pilots took control and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia.
Investigators are also looking into the co-pilot’s past.
UAE authorities have not publicly confirmed every reported detail or announced formal charges.
Israeli officials and media reports say the Omani co-pilot told UAE investigators he planned an attack before joining flydubai, reportedly choosing the airline for its Tel Aviv route.
Reports allege he planned to kill Captain Smit Machchhar and crash Flight FZ1073 in Israel; accounts cite Ben Gurion Airport or a Tel Aviv building, and some also mention a US military base in Jordan.
Sources say he had considered an earlier attempt, reportedly in July, but did not proceed; accounts differ on the circumstances, with some saying he knew a crew member.
Machchhar fought back and opened the cockpit door; passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot, and off-duty pilots took control and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Reports say Oman Air removed him from flight training in 2024 over extremist-material concerns; the UAE has not publicly confirmed all reported details or announced formal charges.
- Who
- An Omani co-pilot identified in reports as Hamam or Hammam al-Hammami, Captain Smit Machchhar, and the passengers and crew of flydubai Flight FZ1073.
- What
- The co-pilot is accused of attacking the captain and trying to take control of the aircraft; reports say he planned to crash it in Israel.
- When
- The incident was reported as occurring on September 30; Reuters reported on October 5.
- Where
- Flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and landed in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the cockpit attack over Jordan.
- Why
- Israeli officials and media reports say he chose flydubai because it operated flights to Tel Aviv; authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive.
Reported allegations
Official statements and unresolved questions
Motive and intended target
Reported allegations
Israeli officials and media reports say the co-pilot planned the attack before joining flydubai, chose it for its Tel Aviv route, and intended to crash the plane in Israel.
Official statements and unresolved questions
The UAE prosecutor general called the incident a terrorist attack, but UAE authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive or all reported targets and details.
Earlier reported attempt
Reported allegations
Some sources say the co-pilot considered an earlier attack, reportedly in July, and postponed it because he knew or was friendly with a crew member.
Official statements and unresolved questions
Reports differ on the timing and reason the earlier plan was abandoned; authorities have not publicly resolved those differences.
Prior screening and airline assignment
Reported allegations
Reports say Oman Air removed him from flight training over extremist-material concerns, raising questions about how he later joined flydubai and was assigned to a Tel Aviv flight.
Official statements and unresolved questions
A Gulf diplomat reportedly said he underwent standard security checks. Netanyahu ordered a review of foreign airlines flying to Israel, while reporting described differing responsibilities and limits in aviation screening.
- Flight
- flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv
- Reported co-pilot identity
- Hamam or Hammam al-Hammami; UAE authorities and flydubai have not publicly disclosed his identity
- Captain
- Indian captain Smit Machchhar was injured in the attack
- Reported targets
- Accounts cite Ben Gurion Airport or a Tel Aviv building; some also mention a US military base in Jordan
- Response and landing
- Passengers and crew restrained the co-pilot; off-duty pilots took control and landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia
- Earlier reported plan
- Sources say he considered an earlier attempt, reportedly in July; reports differ on why it was abandoned
- Reported employment history
- Reports say Oman Air removed him from flight training in 2024 over concerns about extremist material
- Investigation status
- The UAE has not publicly confirmed all reported details or announced formal charges
Sources
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Omani Co-Pilot Planned Attack Before Getting Flydubai Job, Wanted To Crash Plane In July: What Stopped Him?
How Did the Flydubai Co-Pilot Reach the Cockpit? Questions Mount Over His Past
Flydubai co-pilot planned cockpit attack before being hired, wanted to hijack, crash plane
Omani Co-Pilot Hammam al-Hammami's Masterplan: 9/11 Style Plot To Crash Flydubai Flight Into Tel Aviv Building, Earlier Foiled Bid & Reason To Choose Airline - Full DETAILS
flydubai's Omani Co-Pilot Intended To Crash Plane In Israel: Report
Did Omani pilot want to crash flydubai plane into Tel Aviv skyscraper? What his confessions reveal
‘Chose Flydubai For Tel Aviv Route’: Omani Co-Pilot Planned To Kill Indian Captain, Crash Flight At Ben Gurion
Co-pilot planned flydubai attack before joining airline, two Israeli officials say
Flydubai: Co-Pilot's 'Terror' Attack Confession | Ecosystem Are On Test | Why Give Wings To Terror?
Was Flydubai Omani co-pilot planning a 9/11-like ‘terrorist act’ in Israel? UAE probe reveals...
