Omani co-pilot planned 9/11-style suicide crash into Ben Gurion Airport: UAE
Synopsis
A 29-year-old Omani co-pilot allegedly assaulted his Indian captain with a crash axe aboard flydubai flight FZ1073, intending to crash the Dubai-Tel Aviv aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport's terminal in a 9/11-inspired suicide attack. The plot was foiled by the crew and passengers; the plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia. UAE's Attorney-General has now made the details public.
Key Takeaways
UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi disclosed the alleged plot on 10 October 2026 .
Suspect Hamam Al Hammami , a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot, allegedly intended to crash flydubai FZ1073 into Ben Gurion Airport's terminal on 30 September .
Al Hammami allegedly assaulted Indian captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe inside the cockpit.
A reserve pilot, cabin crew, and passengers intervened; the aircraft landed safely at Tabuk Airport, Saudi Arabia .
Investigators are examining whether Al Hammami had accomplices or links to any organisation.
Al Hammami had allegedly made two prior reconnaissance flights to Tel Aviv to plan the attack.
The United Arab Emirates has disclosed new details of an alleged plot by an Omani co-pilot to hijack a Dubai-Tel Aviv passenger aircraft and crash it into the terminal at Israel's Ben Gurion Airport — a suicide attack reportedly inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. The alleged conspiracy was revealed by UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi on 10 October 2026.
The Alleged Plot
The suspect, identified as Hamam Al Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani national serving as co-pilot, was aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. According to UAE authorities, Al Hammami allegedly intended to seize control of the aircraft and execute the attack on 30 September. Investigators say he had travelled to Tel Aviv on two earlier flights specifically to familiarise himself with the route and the airport layout before attempting to carry out the plan.
The Attack Inside the Cockpit
The aircraft was being commanded by Indian captain Smit Machchhar when the alleged attack unfolded inside the cockpit. According to investigation details released by UAE authorities, Al Hammami allegedly assaulted Captain Machchhar with a crash axe in an attempt to wrest control of the plane. Machchhar reportedly resisted the assault, while a reserve pilot, a cabin crew member, and passengers intervened to prevent the alleged hijacking.
Emergency Landing in Saudi Arabia
With the captain under attack, the reserve pilot assumed control of the aircraft and managed to land it safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia, averting what authorities have described as a potentially catastrophic incident. The swift response by the flight crew and passengers is being credited with preventing a disaster on the scale allegedly envisioned by the suspect.
Investigation Under Way
UAE authorities have launched a formal investigation into the alleged conspiracy, examining the circumstances surrounding the attempted hijacking and the suspect's prior preparations. Investigators are also probing whether Al Hammami had any accomplices or links to other individuals or organisations involved in planning the alleged attack. This comes amid heightened global aviation security concerns, and the incident draws inevitable comparisons to the coordinated aircraft hijackings of 11 September 2001 that killed nearly 3,000 people in the United States. Notably, the alleged reconnaissance flights to Tel Aviv suggest a level of premeditation that investigators are treating seriously.
What Happens Next
The UAE has not yet disclosed the charges formally filed against Al Hammami or the timeline for any trial proceedings. Authorities are continuing to assess whether the plot had wider organisational backing. The incident is expected to prompt a review of cockpit security protocols across Gulf carriers, and aviation regulators in the region may be called upon to strengthen checks on flight crew.
Point of View
Raising the uncomfortable question of whether anyone in Al Hammami's circle knew. Gulf carriers have invested heavily in post-9/11 hardened cockpit doors, yet a credentialled crew member bypasses that defence entirely. The UAE's decision to make the Attorney-General's findings public before charges are formally filed is itself notable — it signals both transparency and, arguably, a strategic communication choice in a region where the Dubai-Tel Aviv route carries its own geopolitical weight.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hamam Al Hammami and what was he allegedly planning?
Hamam Al Hammami is a 29-year-old Omani co-pilot who was aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. UAE authorities allege he planned to assault the captain, seize control of the aircraft, and crash it into the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Israel on 30 September, in a suicide attack inspired by the September 11, 2001 attacks.
How was the alleged hijacking stopped?
Indian captain Smit Machchhar resisted the alleged assault with a crash axe, and a reserve pilot, a cabin crew member, and passengers intervened. The reserve pilot took control of the aircraft and landed it safely at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
What is the UAE doing about the alleged plot?
UAE authorities have launched a formal investigation into the alleged conspiracy. Investigators are examining the suspect's preparations and whether he had any accomplices or links to other individuals or organisations involved in planning the attack.
Why did the suspect allegedly make two prior flights to Tel Aviv?
According to the UAE Attorney-General, Al Hammami allegedly travelled to Tel Aviv on two earlier flights specifically to familiarise himself with the flight route and the layout of Ben Gurion Airport before attempting to execute the alleged plan.
What charges does the suspect face?
The UAE has not yet publicly disclosed the formal charges filed against Hamam Al Hammami or the timeline for any trial proceedings. The investigation is ongoing and authorities are still assessing whether the plot had wider organisational backing.
