DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates has accused an Omani co-pilot employed by Dubai-based airline flydubai of planning to hijack a passenger aircraft bound for Tel Aviv and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif al Shamsi said on Friday that the alleged plot was thwarted by the aircraft’s captain during an incident on September 30 while the plane was travelling through Saudi airspace.
According to the attorney general, the 29-year-old co-pilot attacked the captain with a crash axe in an attempt to take control of the aircraft.
The incident reportedly caused the plane to lose 16,000 feet in altitude within 30 seconds before the suspect was overpowered.
Two other pilots aboard the aircraft subsequently managed to land it safely in Saudi Arabia. The suspect was later transferred to the UAE, where flydubai is based.
Saudi Arabia has launched a separate aviation safety investigation into the incident involving flight FZ1073.
Suspect allegedly studied flight route
According to the UAE attorney general, investigators believe the alleged plan was inspired by the September 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.
The state news agency WAM reported that the suspect had travelled to Tel Aviv on two previous occasions to familiarise himself with the flight route and the airport.
Authorities have not publicly identified the suspect. However, a source familiar with the matter identified him as Hammam al-Hammami, an Omani national.
The allegations have raised questions about aviation security and the potential risks posed by individuals who already have authorised access to aircraft cockpits.
Flydubai co-pilot completed flight training in New Zealand, police say
Recruitment checks reportedly found no warning signs
The investigation found that the suspect had met the professional and security requirements during flydubai’s recruitment process, according to the attorney general.
These included holding a valid pilot’s licence and submitting a certificate of good conduct. The checks reportedly did not reveal indications of extremist views.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges of identifying potential security threats during recruitment and routine personnel screening, particularly in the aviation industry, where flight crews have access to critical systems and restricted areas.
Investigations continue
The UAE investigation is examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack, while Saudi authorities are conducting a separate inquiry into the incident’s aviation safety aspects.
The aircraft was landed safely after the suspect was restrained, according to the official account, and the investigation remains focused on establishing the full sequence of events.
The allegations have not been presented as a judicial finding of guilt in the supplied report. Further details about potential charges and legal proceedings were not provided.
