- UAE prosecutors allege Hamam al-Hammami planned to crash the plane into the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.
- A captain, reserve pilot, crew member and passengers restrained the co-pilot; the aircraft landed safely in Tabuk.
- Investigators say the plot was inspired by the September 11 attacks; the investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine whether anyone else was involved.
UAE prosecutors say Hamam al-Hammami planned to seize Flydubai Flight FZ1073 and crash it into the passenger terminal at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. They allege the 29-year-old Omani Flydubai co-pilot intended to cause “the greatest possible number of casualties.”
The alleged attack unfolded aboard the aircraft on September 30, 2026, while it was airborne on a scheduled flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE Attorney General Counsellor Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi announced preliminary investigation findings on October 9.
Prosecutors say the plan was a “premeditated plot with a terrorist objective.” The alleged target was the airport terminal. Investigators say the attempt was stopped inside the cockpit.
Al-Hammami allegedly struck the Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, with an emergency crash axe. Machchhar resisted and opened the cockpit door.
A reserve pilot aboard the flight, a crew member and several passengers entered the cockpit, restrained the suspect and helped regain control of the aircraft. The plane diverted to Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia and landed safely.
Passengers survived. Saudi authorities detained the suspect before transferring him to the UAE.
Investigators say he prepared for the route and drew on 9/11
Investigators say Al-Hammami had made two earlier flights to Tel Aviv to become familiar with the route and airport. The September 30 journey was his third trip there.
Prosecutors said the alleged plan was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Al-Hammami allegedly told investigators that the attacks helped motivate him to pursue a career in aviation.
Prosecutors traced signs of his reported shift toward extremism to 2017, when he was studying in Australia. Investigators said he accessed material glorifying terrorist organizations and suicide attacks.
They also said he trained in boxing as part of his preparation. Those details form part of the prosecution’s account of how the alleged plan developed.
His work history spans Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc and Flydubai
Investigators described a career at three airlines before the incident. The reported timeline is:
| Airline | Reported employment period |
|---|---|
| Oman Air | 2020 to 2024 |
| Royal Air Maroc | Joined in early 2025 |
| Flydubai | Began work in January 2026 |
Al Shamsi said professional and security checks, including reviews of a pilot’s license, a certificate of good conduct and background checks, showed “no indications” of extremist views or an intention to carry out a terrorist plot. The announcement did not date those checks within the employment timeline.
A medical report found recent head injuries to Machchhar consistent with an assault involving an implement matching the characteristics of an emergency axe. The report adds a medical finding to the account of the cockpit struggle.
Investigators are still testing his claim that he acted alone
Prosecutors said Al-Hammami gave a detailed confession in the presence of his lawyer and claimed he acted alone. Authorities are examining evidence, recordings and technical reports while investigating whether anyone else was involved.
The investigation began on October 1, 2026, and remains ongoing. The UAE Public Prosecution has not announced a final determination on possible accomplices or completed criminal charges.
