A FlyDubai copilot attempted to hijack a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv with the intention of crashing it into Ben Gurion Airport or a building in Tel Aviv, according to investigations by authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the United States. Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national, attacked the captain with a crash axe mid-flight on Wednesday, but was subdued by passengers and crew, allowing the plane to land safely in Saudi Arabia. Investigators have determined al-Hammami planned the attack before being hired by FlyDubai, and told investigators he had previously considered hijacking another flight to Tel Aviv. While authorities deem the incident an attempted terrorist act, the full motive remains under investigation. The incident has raised questions about security lapses in the vetting process for FlyDubai pilots, as al-Hammami was previously flagged for extremist views by Oman Air and barred from flying.
Multiple sources report al-Hammami told investigators he intended to receive landing clearances at Ben Gurion Airport before crashing the Boeing 737 MAX, which carried over 180 passengers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the copilot underwent “Islamist radical indoctrination” and described the averted crash as a potential “9/11 disaster.” The UAE Attorney-General Hamad al-Shamsi confirmed the incident was a “terrorist act” and pledged a full investigation into the circumstances, motives, and any potential links. Investigators are also examining how al-Hammami was recruited and cleared to fly despite concerns about his extremist views.
Flight data shows the plane descended more than 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds during the attack. Another pilot on board assisted in landing the aircraft. Both the pilot and copilot have been transferred to the UAE for questioning. Israeli officials have raised concerns about how an Omani national was permitted to fly into Israeli airspace, given Israel’s lack of diplomatic relations with Oman. Netanyahu announced a formal examination into the security breach, while his political opponents have criticized his administration’s oversight.
Our reading is that this incident represents a significant security failure, despite existing concerns about the co-pilot’s extremist views. The fact that al-Hammami was previously flagged, yet still cleared to fly a sensitive route into Israel, suggests vulnerabilities in the vetting process. The multiple investigations announced by various authorities indicate the seriousness with which this event is being treated, and the potential for wider implications regarding aviation security protocols.
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