Pilot Dreamed of Crashing Flydubai Plane into Tel Aviv Airport, Sources Claim
Authorities investigating whether the suspect acted alone or had ties to extremist groups.
The pilot who attempted to hijack a Flydubai passenger plane harbored a desire to crash the aircraft into Tel Aviv's main airport, according to security sources. Hamam al-Hammami, 29, allegedly revealed this aspiration during interrogation.
Al-Hammami reportedly told investigators that his "dream was to crash into Ben-Gurion Airport" and cause mass casualties. Sources claim he had planned the hijacking weeks in advance and had previously attempted to gain employment with other airlines. He is also said to have considered flying the aircraft into one of the Azrieli Towers near Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv, mimicking the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Israeli sources suggest al-Hammami traveled to Ben-Gurion Airport multiple times before the incident, most recently in July to gather intelligence. He allegedly aborted his plan on one occasion in July after realizing a crew member he knew was on board.
The incident occurred on a flight bound for Tel Aviv. Al-Hammami allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar with an onboard crash axe as the plane neared Israel. The aircraft plummeted 14,000 feet in 29 seconds before passengers and crew members grappled with al-Hammami to regain control. The flight was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, for an emergency landing, and the passengers later arrived safely in Tel Aviv.
Investigators are working to determine if al-Hammami acted as a "lone wolf" or had connections to extremist groups. He was born in the UAE, with Syrian maternal roots and Omani nationality from his father. Al-Hammami graduated in 2023 with a degree in aviation management from Buckinghamshire New University, though the university stated he did not undergo pilot training there.
Reports indicate al-Hammami held extremist views, with social media posts allegedly showing him expressing violent sentiments towards women and commending Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He previously worked as a trainee with Oman's national airline but was moved to an administrative role due to concerns about potential radicalization from time spent in Syria. His application to work at Royal Air Maroc after completing training there in 2025 was reportedly rejected.
The UAE prosecutor general described the incident as an attempted terrorist attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the suspect had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination."