- Israeli officials say Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami tried to crash Flydubai Flight FZ1073 into Ben Gurion Airport.
- Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot; two reserve pilots diverted the aircraft to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
- More than 170 people were aboard, and the aircraft plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Israeli officials say the Flydubai hijacker, Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, tried to seize a passenger jet and crash it into Ben Gurion Airport, intending to cause mass casualties. The aircraft was flydubai Flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
The attack did not reach the airport. Passengers and crew entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot, while a second pair of pilots took control and brought the aircraft down in Saudi Arabia.
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Investigators said al-Hammami waited until the flight entered Jordanian airspace before making his move. They believe he wanted the aircraft to seem to be following an ordinary approach until the last moment.
A separate account described a plan to continue toward Israel as if landing normally, then strike the terminal. Another account said he had a backup target: a U.S. military base in Jordan if he could not reach the airport.
The crew and passengers stopped the attack before landing in Saudi Arabia
More than 170 people were aboard. The jet plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, according to an account of the incident.
Indian captain Smit Machchhar fought the attacker and helped prevent the plane from being brought down. Passengers and crew joined the struggle in the cockpit. They subdued al-Hammami, allowing two reserve pilots aboard to land the aircraft safely.
The diversion ended in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The flight left Dubai International Airport at 03:05 GMT and reached Tabuk at 06:58.
The account of the investigation says al-Hammami had considered an attack as early as July. He delayed it because he had a personal connection with one crew member, choosing to “spare him” and wait for another chance.
Officials say the suspect chose the carrier before he joined it
Investigators attributed two statements to al-Hammami about his preparations and choice of airline:
“I searched and checked which company flies to Tel Aviv, and that’s why I chose flydubai,” and “I tried to get accepted by all the airlines. I planned the operation even before I was hired by the company.”
A separate line attributed to him during interrogation was: “The dream was to crash into Ben-Gurion Airport.” One account said he had been visiting the airport as part of his work as a pilot in recent months.
Netanyahu praised the pilot as investigators examined motive
Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu praised Machchhar as a “true hero,” citing his “extraordinary bravery.” He said the pilot “managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster.” Passenger Yaniv Chayon was also singled out by Netanyahu for entering the cockpit and helping subdue al-Hammami.
Netanyahu said the suspect had undergone “Islamist radical indoctrination,” based on his “personal information.” He also described him as suicidal. Israeli officials identified the suspect as an Omani national and said their investigation was continuing.
Defense Minister Israel Katz called the incident an attempted jihadist terror attack and said preliminary information indicated the co-pilot had aimed to crash the plane. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates opened a separate investigation into possible “terrorist activity or intent,” including whether the act was premeditated or involved other people.
Passenger Assaf Rajuan said crew and passengers “neutralized” the attacker very quickly. Those aboard later continued to Tel Aviv on a replacement flydubai aircraft, arriving at the airport more than 10 hours after the emergency diversion.
