Flydubai Co-Pilot Allegedly Planned Ben Gurion Attack, Had Jordan Base As ‘Plan B’: Report

Tel Aviv: An Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight allegedly planned to crash the aircraft at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and viewed the attack as revenge for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, according to findings cited by Israeli media.
Investigators believe the suspect, identified as Omani national al Hammami, had prepared the alleged plot well before boarding the Dubai to Tel Aviv flight on September 30. His primary plan was reportedly to bring down the aircraft near Ben Gurion Airport. If that plan could not be carried out, investigators believe he had considered targeting a US military facility in Jordan as an alternative.
Authorities believe the suspect had initially planned to carry out an attack in July but abandoned the attempt because of a personal connection with a member of the crew. He had reportedly travelled to Israel in June and was allegedly preparing himself for what investigators described as a martyrdom operation.
Investigators have so far found no evidence linking him to a terrorist organisation or a foreign government. Authorities are examining his international travel, contacts and activities to determine whether anyone influenced, recruited or assisted him.
Australian and New Zealand authorities are also examining his background. In Australia, a joint investigation involving federal and state agencies is looking into his links to the country, where he previously studied on a student visa.
Captain Fought His Way Back Into Cockpit
The alleged plot emerged after the co-pilot attacked Indian captain Smit Machchhar during the Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
Machchhar managed to regain control of access to the cockpit despite being injured. The aircraft reportedly descended sharply, losing around 17,000 feet within roughly a minute before the situation was brought under control.
Passengers also intervened during the emergency as the aircraft experienced a rapid descent. The plane eventually made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The incident has since been described as a terrorist act by UAE officials, while Israeli authorities have raised the possibility that the suspect was influenced by Islamist radicalisation.
Flydubai subsequently suspended flights between the UAE and Israel following the incident, with passengers later returning to Israel on a replacement aircraft.