The flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of an Israel-bound passenger jet allegedly intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport, according to newly reported details from the investigation.
Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported that Hamam al-Hammami told investigators he planned to keep flydubai Flight FZ1073 on course for Israel, act as if nothing had happened, secure the clearances needed to approach Ben Gurion Airport and then deliberately crash the plane into a building or another aircraft at the airport.
The reported information was obtained through investigations conducted by Saudi and Emirati authorities. Channel 12 and Ynet reported that Israeli investigators have not directly questioned al-Hammami.
Israeli passenger Haim Lazarovich, who experienced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, during a flight on FlyDubai plane, arrives at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)
News Media contacted the UAE Public Prosecution and flydubai for confirmation of the reported findings.
Reuters separately reported Monday that a source familiar with the UAE investigation said the Omani co-pilot had planned to crash the flight at Ben Gurion Airport. Two Israeli officials briefed on the case also told Reuters that al-Hammami said in questioning he had devised the attack before joining flydubai.
Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who allegedly was attacked on a FlyDubai plane heading to Israel on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (Israel Foreign Ministry)
The allegations add to the details emerging from last week’s dramatic incident aboard Flight FZ1073, which was flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain in the cockpit.
UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said investigators concluded that the co-pilot had attempted to commit a terrorist act by striking the captain with a crash axe and trying to seize control of the aircraft.
A FlyDubai aircraft carrying Israelis who experienced an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia is seen parked at Ben Gurion International Airport, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (Ariel Schalit/AP)
Passengers and other people on board eventually intervened. The aircraft was then diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Al Shamsi said the UAE investigation is continuing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances and motive behind the alleged attack, including whether anyone else may have been connected to it.
The UAE Public Prosecution said the investigation’s final findings will be released once all necessary procedures have been completed.
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