Flydubai Co-Pilot Surveyed Ben Gurion Airport to Plan Crash
Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami surveyed Ben Gurion Airport multiple times to plan a terror attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073.
In a chilling revelation, Israeli media reports indicate that the Omani co-pilot behind the September 30 terror attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 had meticulously planned to crash the airliner into Ben Gurion Airport. The assailant, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, had reportedly surveyed the airport on multiple occasions in the months leading up to the incident to map out his target.
A Calculated and Cold-Blooded Plan
According to investigations detailed by The Times of Israel, al-Hammami’s strategy was designed to evade detection for as long as possible. His plan involved operating the flight normally until the final phase of the journey, ensuring that no alarms were sounded and no passengers could obstruct his objective. This tactical delay is why he waited until the aircraft was traversing Jordanian airspace before attempting to seize control of the flight deck.
The investigation has uncovered a disturbing level of premeditation. Al-Hammami reportedly told investigators, “I looked into which airline flies to Tel Aviv. That’s why I chose Flydubai. I planned it even before I was accepted.”
Intelligence Gathering and Failed Attempts
The details emerging from interrogations in the United Arab Emirates suggest that al-Hammami’s reconnaissance began as early as June. During a visit to the region, his primary focus was gathering intelligence and mapping out the assault. While he had initially scheduled the operation for July, he reportedly aborted the attempt at the last minute due to a personal friendship with a member of the cabin crew.
Intelligence assessments further suggest that his ambitions may have been even more destructive; some reports indicate he may have originally intended to strike a skyscraper rather than an airport facility.
The Violent Struggle in the Cockpit
The attempt to execute the attack turned into a desperate struggle for survival when al-Hammami launched a violent assault on the captain, Smit Machchhar. Using a crash hatchet from the flight deck, the co-pilot inflicted stab wounds on the captain in a bid to incapacitate him.
The chaos inside the cockpit was witnessed by passengers in the cabin. Tali Manes, traveling with her five-year-old child, reported hearing the violent altercation while heading to the washroom. Her urgent cries—“He’s killing the pilot!”—alerted other passengers to the life-threatening situation.
Heroism Averted Disaster
Despite the assault, Captain Machchhar managed to unlatch the cockpit door, allowing a group of Israeli travelers to rush in and grapple with the assailant. As the struggle unfolded, al-Hammami attempted to sabotage the aircraft by initiating a steep dive toward the desert floor and attempting to damage the guidance mechanisms.
The disaster was ultimately prevented by the collective bravery of passengers and aviation professionals:
- Israeli Passengers: Successfully overpowered and restrained al-Hammami after forcing entry into the cockpit.
- Off-duty Aviators: Two off-duty pilots on board stepped in to assume control of the aircraft and stabilize the flight.
Following the intervention, the off-duty aviators broadcasted the 7700 emergency code at 9:31 am to signal the general emergency. Al-Hammami remains in custody in the UAE, where investigations are ongoing, with Israel requesting expanded questioning of all flight attendants involved in the flight.