An Omani flydubai co-pilot allegedly planned to seize a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. However, the captain intervened before the alleged suicide attack could take place on September 30.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi revealed details of the case on Friday. His statement offered the most detailed account yet of the suspected plot, based on prosecutors’ investigation. It did not appear to implicate flydubai in any wrongdoing.
The airline was not immediately available for comment.
Co-Pilot Allegedly Planned Attack Inspired by 9/11
UAE prosecutors believe the alleged plan drew inspiration from the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States. Authorities launched a criminal investigation on October 1 to establish what happened.
According to the investigation, the suspect had taken two previous flights to Tel Aviv to “familiarise himself with the flight route and the airport”. This is the first public confirmation that investigators believe the September 11 attacks inspired his alleged plan.
Captain Attacked With Crash Axe Mid-Flight
The incident unfolded while the aircraft was flying through Saudi airspace. Prosecutors said the co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe, an emergency tool typically kept in the cockpit.
The attack reportedly caused the aircraft to plunge 16,000 feet in just 30 seconds. However, the crew managed to overpower the suspect before the situation escalated further.
Two other pilots aboard the aircraft then took control and landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. Authorities subsequently transferred the suspect to the United Arab Emirates, where flydubai is based.
Investigation Found No Warning Signs in Recruitment Checks
Investigators examined flydubai’s recruitment procedures as part of their inquiry. They found that the suspect had met the airline’s professional and security requirements.
These included holding a pilot’s licence and providing a certificate of good conduct. However, the checks did not reveal indications of extremist views or plans for a terrorist attack.
“However, none of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot,” Al Shamsi added.
The 29-year-old had previously worked for airlines in several countries, including Oman Air. He joined flydubai in January 2026.
Suspect Reportedly Showed Signs of Extremism Years Earlier
Investigators found signs that the suspect had begun moving towards “extremism and terrorism” as early as 2017. This reportedly occurred while he was studying in Australia.
Royal Air Maroc also confirmed that he completed three months of training with the airline in 2025. However, the airline rejected his subsequent application for employment.
UAE officials have not publicly identified the suspect. Nevertheless, a person with direct knowledge of the matter identified him to Reuters as Hammam Al Hammami, an Omani national.
Al Shamsi said the suspect told investigators that he had prepared mentally and physically for the alleged attack. He reportedly watched material promoting terrorism and took boxing lessons.
Saudi Arabia Launches Separate Aviation Safety Investigation
Saudi Arabia has also launched an independent safety investigation into flydubai flight FZ1073, according to sources cited in the original report.
The separate inquiry will examine the aviation safety aspects of the incident. Meanwhile, UAE investigators continue to examine the alleged plot, the suspect’s background and the events aboard the aircraft.
The case has raised questions about how an individual who reportedly met professional and security requirements could allegedly plan such an attack without detection. However, investigators have not publicly established that flydubai was aware of the suspect’s alleged intentions before the incident.
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