Key facts
- Investigators believe flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami planned his attack for July but postponed it.
- Hammami allegedly used an emergency crash axe to attack the pilot on flight FZ1073.
- The co-pilot intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion airport or another target in Israel.
- Hammami had previously worked for Oman Air and Royal Air Maroc.
- An analysis of Hammami's social media found misogynistic and homophobic posts, as well as threats of violence.
- Hammami was transferred to UAE custody and is being investigated by authorities in over eight countries.
Investigators believe that the co-pilot who attempted to hijack a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv last week originally planned the attack for July but postponed it, possibly because a friend was among the crew. Hamam al-Hammami, 29, an Omani national, allegedly used an emergency crash axe to attack the pilot, Smit Machchhar, approximately two hours and 20 minutes after takeoff on flight FZ1073, which was carrying over 180 passengers, mostly Israeli.
Israeli media reported that Hammami told interrogators he planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion airport or another high-profile target. Captain Machchhar stated that he felt a "big blow" to the back of his head and realized it was his co-pilot attacking him. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower Hammami. A reserve flydubai pilot traveling on the flight took control and landed the plane in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Hammami was detained and later transferred to UAE custody.
Authorities in at least eight countries are investigating Hammami's background and intentions, including his time studying in New Zealand and Australia about a decade ago. Hammami previously worked for Oman Air, where concerns about extremist views led to a desk job, and briefly for Royal Air Maroc. He was hired by flydubai, which conducted criminal record checks but not for evidence of radicalization.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Hammami had undergone "radical Islamist indoctrination" and was suicidal. An analysis of Hammami's social media account by Accountability! revealed dozens of misogynistic posts, threats of violence, and homophobic slurs. The company's co-founder, Gur Megiddo, stated that Hammami's online activity was a "warning sign" that could have prevented the danger to passengers.