Flydubai Co-Pilot Allegedly Planned to Crash Plane in Tel Aviv
Reports indicate the co-pilot told investigators he intended to target the airport or a building in the style of 9/11.
The co-pilot of a recent flydubai flight, identified by multiple reports as Hamam al-Hammami, allegedly told investigators that he planned to crash the Boeing 737 MAX into Ben Gurion Airport or a Tel Aviv tower block, according to Israeli media citing sources familiar with the probe. The co-pilot reportedly stated he intended to carry out the attack in the style of the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
These reports emerged over the weekend as the co-pilot continued to be questioned in the United Arab Emirates, with Israeli representatives reportedly being updated on the investigation. Sources indicate the co-pilot confessed to attacking the captain, Smit Machchhar, before intending to proceed with the hijacking and crash attempt.
Investigators believe the co-pilot acted alone, rather than as part of a radical organization or on behalf of a foreign government. He also allegedly revealed a prior plan to hijack and crash a different flight to Tel Aviv, but he changed his mind upon learning that someone he knew was on board.
Questions have been raised regarding security protocols, specifically how the co-pilot was hired by flydubai and cleared to fly a plane carrying Israeli passengers to Tel Aviv. Regional officials stated that Oman's national carrier, Oman Air, had previously barred the co-pilot from flying due to concerns about his extremist views, moving him to an administrative role. He was subsequently hired by flydubai after passing standard security checks that, according to officials, did not thoroughly examine his background for signs of radicalization.
Further complicating the matter are Israeli aviation regulations, which reportedly prohibit pilots from countries without formal diplomatic relations with Israel, such as Oman, from operating flights to the country.
Emirati authorities reportedly shared a passenger and crew list with Israel before the departure of flydubai flight FZ1073. However, there are conflicting accounts regarding the vetting of these lists. Israel's Shin Bet domestic security agency stated that the transport ministry is responsible for vetting such lists from foreign airlines. Conversely, Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev asserted that her ministry did not receive passenger and crew lists, and that security oversight for flights operated by foreign carriers falls under the purview of the Shin Bet and the Mossad foreign intelligence agency.
In response to the incident, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the head of the National Security Council to review all security aspects related to foreign civil aviation entering Israel. Australian authorities are also investigating the co-pilot's connections to the country, as media sources report he studied there between 2015 and 2017.
There has been no immediate official comment from Emirati or Israeli authorities regarding the details of the investigation. The UAE Attorney-General, Hamad al-Shamsi, previously stated that the country's investigation would determine the full circumstances, motives, and any associated links, with results to be announced upon completion.