Verified

Accused FlyDubai Co-Pilot Planned to Crash Jet Into Ben Gurion Airport, Investigators Say

r/Crime •

Darom AI October 05, 2026

The investigation into the attempted seizure of a FlyDubai flight has intensified following disclosures that the accused co-pilot intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. According to reporting by Reuters and other international outlets, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami told interrogators that his plot was premeditated and that he specifically sought employment with FlyDubai because the carrier operated routes to Israel.

The incident centers on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Israel last Wednesday. UAE prosecutors are treating the event as a terrorist attack after passengers and crew members intervened to subdue the co-pilot mid-flight, preventing the aircraft from being seized.

According to details emerging from ongoing interrogations, al-Hammami planned to incapacitate Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit using an emergency crash axe. Investigators report that the suspect intended to continue flying normally long enough to secure routine landing clearance before crashing the jet into a building or another aircraft on the ground at Ben Gurion Airport. Technical teams are also reviewing flight data to determine whether engine fuel switches were deliberately manipulated and the autopilot disabled during a brief, steep descent before the crew and passengers regained control.

A senior Emirati source indicated that al-Hammami is expected to face capital punishment given the severity of the charges. While authorities in the United Arab Emirates and Israel are continuing joint inquiries into the timeline and security implications of the breach, current assessments suggest the co-pilot acted alone, with no broader organizational network or terror cell linked to the attack identified thus far.

Captain Machchhar, who survived the cockpit assault, has received widespread recognition for helping thwart the takeover by opening access during the struggle. The investigation remains active as aviation authorities and security officials review cockpit security procedures in the wake of the incident.

Fact Check Analysis AI Verified

--- > **Claim:** Accused co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami intended to crash the FlyDubai aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Multiple international outlets and investigators confirmed that Omani national Hamam al-Hammami confessed to interrogators that his plot was premeditated and that he specifically intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport. [Al-Monitor](https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/10/co-pilot-planned-flydubai-attack-joining-airline-two-israeli-officials-say) --- --- > **Claim:** Hamam al-Hammami specifically sought employment with FlyDubai because the carrier operated routes to Israel. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Reporting indicates that the accused co-pilot chose to work for FlyDubai explicitly due to its scheduled routes to Israel. [Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/flydubai-attack-update-co-pilot-joined-airline-for-its-israel-routes-planned-to-kill-smit-machchhar-in-cockpit-and-crash-jet-into-israeli-airport-101791159975722-amp.html) --- --- > **Claim:** The incident centers on FlyDubai Flight FZ1073 traveling from Dubai to Israel last Wednesday. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Flight FZ1073 was confirmed to be operating the Dubai-to-Tel Aviv route during the week of the incident. [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqjdv7pmj9dno) --- --- > **Claim:** UAE prosecutors are treating the event as a terrorist attack after passengers and crew members intervened to subdue the co-pilot mid-flight. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** UAE authorities classified the event as a terrorist attack following the mid-flight intervention by crew and passengers that thwarted the seizure. [The National](https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/10/01/flydubai-uae-investigation-terrorist-activity/) --- --- > **Claim:** Al-Hammami planned to incapacitate Indian captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit using an emergency crash axe. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Investigators reported that the suspect plotted to attack Indian captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit using an emergency crash axe. [The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/flydubai-flight-drama-how-indian-pilot-smit-machchhar-stopped-omani-co-pilot-from-crashing-plane/articleshow/134597514.cms) --- --- > **Claim:** The suspect intended to continue flying normally long enough to secure routine landing clearance before crashing the jet into a building or another aircraft on the ground at Ben Gurion Airport. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Intelligence and investigative reporting outline that the 9/11-style plan involved flying normally to secure landing clearance before crashing into ground targets at Ben Gurion Airport. [News18](https://www.news18.com/world/flydubai-co-pilot-planned-9-11-style-attack-on-ben-gurion-airport-chose-airline-for-israel-route-ws-l-10367345.html) --- --- > **Claim:** Technical teams are reviewing flight data to determine whether engine fuel switches were deliberately manipulated and the autopilot disabled during a brief, steep descent. - **Verdict:** Mixed - **Analysis:** While flight data and simulator reconstructions confirm a steep, rapid descent and autopilot disconnection prior to the plunge, the search evidence does not independently verify the specific manipulation of engine fuel switches. [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/like-vertical-roller-coaster-simulating-flight-fz1073s-sudden-plunge-2026-10-04/) --- --- > **Claim:** Al-Hammami is expected to face capital punishment given the severity of the charges, and current assessments suggest the co-pilot acted alone with no broader terror cell identified. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Senior Emirati sources and media reports indicate prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and Israeli/Emirates probes have found no broader active terror network linked to the co-pilot so far. [India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/world/story/flydubai-cockpit-attack-uae-seeks-death-penalty-for-co-pilot-hamam-al-hammami-3009547-2026-10-05) --- --- > **Claim:** Captain Machchhar survived the cockpit assault and received widespread recognition for helping thwart the takeover by opening access during the struggle. - **Verdict:** Verified - **Analysis:** Captain Smit Machchhar survived the attack and was widely hailed by global leaders (including Israeli and Indian officials) for managing to open access during the cockpit struggle to help save the flight. [BBC](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje3r3z7g0zzo) ---

AI Research Queries

🔍 Hamam al-Hammami FlyDubai Omani co-pilot Israel routes Ben Gurion airport
🔍 FlyDubai flight FZ1073 Dubai to Tel Aviv incident details
🔍 Smit Machchhar FlyDubai captain crash axe cockpit attack
🔍 FlyDubai FZ1073 flight data steep descent fuel switches autopilot
🔍 Hamam al-Hammami death penalty capital punishment UAE prosecutors

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