UAE says Flydubai co-pilot planned to crash plane into Tel Aviv airport

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  UAE prosecutors said the Flydubai co-pilot planned to seize control of a flight to Tel Aviv and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion airport.

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  The suspect, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with a crash axe during the flight.

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  Passengers and crew helped restrain the suspect and steady the aircraft; it made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

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  The UAE prosecutor said al-Hammami drew inspiration from the September 11, 2001 attacks and had used two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to learn the route and airport.

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  Prosecutors said al-Hammami confessed to acting alone, while investigations continued to verify that claim.

Who

Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, the flight’s captain, Smit Machchhar, and the passengers and crew

What

An attempted takeover of a passenger flight, which UAE prosecutors say was intended to end in an attack on Ben Gurion airport

When

September 30, 2026; the UAE prosecutor issued an update on October 9, 2026

Where

A flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv; the emergency landing was at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia

Why

UAE prosecutors say the suspect was inspired by the September 11 attacks and intended to cause the greatest possible loss of life

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