Stories
Flydubai Co-Pilot Confesses To 9/11-Inspired Airport Suicide Crash Plot
- •A Flydubai co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, confessed to planning a suicide crash inspired by the September 11 terrorist attacks.
- •The 29-year-old intended to target the Ben Gurion Airport terminal in Tel Aviv using a Boeing 737 MAX operating from Dubai.
- •Captain Smit Machchhar and brave passengers intervened during a cockpit attack with an emergency axe, preventing disaster.
- •The flight made a safe emergency landing in Saudi Arabia with the help of an off-duty pilot on board.
- •Investigations reveal al-Hammami was previously dismissed by Oman Air for extremist views before being hired by Flydubai.
Key Questions Answered
According to statements from the United Arab Emirates Attorney General, Hamam al-Hammami confessed that his ambition to execute an aerial assault was inspired by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. This motivation became established in his mind even before he began his commercial pilot training.
After the co-pilot attacked the cockpit with an emergency crash axe, Captain Smit Machchhar managed to unlock the armoured door despite injuries. Passengers, cabin crew, and an off-duty pilot on board intervened to restrain the suspect, allowing the flight to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Counter-terrorism agencies found that al-Hammami previously worked for Oman Air before being dismissed due to extremist views. He was subsequently hired by Flydubai eight months prior to the hijacking attempt, prompting calls for stricter pilot vetting and cross-border information sharing.
