Hammad Al-Hammami, the Omani co-pilot who attempted to hijack and crash a Flydubai flight bound for Israel on September 30, reportedly told Israeli investigators that his long-planned objective was to use the aircraft to carry out a deadly attack inside Israel. During interrogation, the terrorist co-pilot reportedly revealed that he had researched airlines operating routes to Tel Aviv before deliberately choosing Flydubai.
“I tried to get hired by all the airlines. I planned the operation even before I was accepted by the company,” Hammami reportedly said during questioning. The Omani pilot reportedly added that his “dream was to crash into Ben-Gurion Airport”, according to an Israeli source cited by The Jerusalem Post.
The revelation has shed further light on the preparations behind the Flydubai cockpit attack and the intentions of the co-pilot who attempted to take control of the flight.
Co-pilot gathered intelligence during repeated Israel visits
According to the reported Israeli intelligence assessment, Hammami had repeatedly visited Ben-Gurion Airport as part of his professional duties as a pilot. One of his final visits to Israel reportedly took place around July, when the Islamic terrorist used the opportunity to gather information and prepare for the planned attack.
Days after that visit, Hammami reportedly operated a flight to Israel and intended to crash the aircraft within Israeli territory. However, according to the report, his relationship with one of the crew members caused a severe crisis of conscience, leading him to postpone the attack until late September.
The plan later expanded beyond Ben-Gurion Airport. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported, citing Israeli intelligence, that the Flydubai terrorist co-pilot also considered deliberately crashing the aircraft into skyscrapers in Tel Aviv.
Hammami intended to kill Captain Smit Machchhar without immediately attracting attention, continue flying along the planned route towards Tel Aviv and ultimately crash the aircraft into buildings in the city. Israeli authorities are reportedly working on the assumption that the Omani co-pilot acted as a “lone wolf” and was not operating under orders from an organised terrorist group.
The operation was designed to be completed rapidly, leaving little time for Israeli fighter jets to intercept the Flydubai flight.
The attack reportedly began when Hammami assaulted Captain Machchhar with an emergency crash axe, nearly severing the pilot’s arm. The terrorist co-pilot then attempted to seize control of the aircraft by manipulating the control stick and subsequently cutting both engines.
Despite his injuries, Captain Machchhar reportedly managed to assist passengers in restraining Hammami and preventing the Flydubai aircraft from being used in the attack.
Previous employment and radicalisation investigation
Hammami had previously worked for Oman Air but was reportedly dismissed because of views described as being excessively close to Islamic extremism. He was subsequently hired by Flydubai approximately eight months before the incident.
The terrorist co-pilot’s activities in Australia are also under investigation. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, involving the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, confirmed that authorities were examining Hammami’s links to Australia.
The Financial Times reported that the Omani pilot had visited radical mosques and extremist websites while in Australia. The report, citing people familiar with the investigation, also said Australian intelligence services had maintained a file on Hammami.
The investigations in Israel and Australia are expected to determine the extent of the Flydubai co-pilot’s radicalisation, his preparations and whether anyone else assisted or influenced the plot.
