Flydubai co-pilot allegedly planned to crash Israel-bound jet at Ben Gurion Airport, tell me about this news today

Recent investigative reports reveal critical details regarding the September 30, 2026, mid-air attack aboard Flydubai Flight FZ1073 (en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv):

• Original Target and Intent: The co-pilot, identified as Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, reportedly told investigators that his primary objective was to crash the Boeing 737 directly into Ben Gurion Airporttargeting either an airport facility or another parked airliner after receiving routine landing clearance to minimize suspicion. Earlier reports also noted potential plans involving Tel Aviv high-rises.

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• Premeditated Plot: Al-Hammami reportedly admitted that he specifically sought employment with airlines operating routes to Israel, choosing Flydubai deliberately to carry out an attack, and had devised the plan prior to being hired. He also claimed to have aborted an earlier attempt in July because an acquaintance was part of the flight crew.

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• How the In-Flight Attack Unfolded: During the flight, al-Hammami requested a break to pray, then attacked the captain, Smit Machchhar, in an attempt to incapacitate him and seize full control of the flight deck. Though injured, the captain managed to unlock the cockpit door.

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• The Rapid Descent: Realizing his original scheme was falling apart as passengers and an off-duty pilot intervened, al-Hammami put the airliner into an abrupt divedropping approximately 16,000 feet in under two minutes toward the desertwhile attempting to sabotage flight controls.

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• Resolution: Passengers and off-duty crew members breached the cockpit, subdued al-Hammami, and stabilized the aircraft. The plane diverted and landed safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where the suspect was taken into custody before facing formal interrogation in the UAE.

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