The Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera" has reported that Israeli investigators suspect that Omani co-pilot Hamam Al-Hamami plotted to kill the captain of a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with the intention of continuing the flight normally before crashing into skyscrapers in the city. This plan, if successful, could have resulted in a catastrophic incident.
Meeting Between Al-Hamami and the Captain
According to the report, the captain of the flight, Indian national Smit Machar, aged 38 and possessing thousands of hours of experience flying Boeing 737 aircraft, arrived on time and successfully passed through security checks. Shortly thereafter, Al-Hamami, a 29-year-old Omani national, joined him. At around 5:30 AM Dubai time, the two pilots held a preparatory meeting in a designated rest area for Flydubai crews. While Machar took the helm as the pilot, Al-Hamami assumed the role of co-pilot, accompanied by six other crew members.
During the meeting, Al-Hamami exhibited behavior that oscillated between joking and long periods of silence; however, the atmosphere remained professional, and no unusual actions were recorded. Preparations for the flight commenced as usual, which included checking equipment, entering the flight plan into the aircraft's computers, verifying fuel levels, and reviewing weather updates. Meanwhile, cabin crew members organized the kitchens, arranged meal trays, and inspected seats and safety equipment.
Among the safety equipment was an emergency axe located in a compartment behind the pilots' seats. This provision, mandated by law on most commercial passenger aircraft, is designed to save lives, allowing crew members to break cockpit windows during a fire, access electrical systems, and free pilots in the event of an emergency landing.
According to the Italian newspaper's account, this axe was turned into a tool for assaulting the captain, with Al-Hamami allegedly striking Machar with it. Following the attack, Al-Hamami attempted to take control of the aircraft by manipulating the controls and subsequently shutting down both engines.
Serious Injuries and Investigation
The report highlighted that the captain sustained serious injuries, including a severe injury to one of his arms. Despite these injuries, he managed to assist the other crew members in regaining control of the aircraft. Israeli investigators suspect that Al-Hamami had premeditated the assault, claiming that his plan involved killing the captain discreetly and continuing on the scheduled path to Tel Aviv, ultimately aiming to crash into skyscrapers without allowing fighter jets time to take off and intercept the aircraft, or to begin negotiations.
Furthermore, the report noted that Al-Hamami had previously been dismissed from Oman Air due to stances described as closely aligned with Islamic extremism, before starting work with Flydubai approximately eight months before the incident. The article also referenced extremist comments against women and Jews found on his social media accounts.
American network CBS reported, citing informed sources, that preliminary investigations indicate the possibility that the co-pilot acted alone, with all possibilities being explored. Al-Hamami is currently under investigation in the United Arab Emirates after being initially interrogated in Saudi Arabia, where the flight landed. Israel has sent representatives to participate in the investigation there.
The incident occurred last Wednesday, when passengers and crew members managed to subdue the co-pilot, who had assaulted the captain in what Israeli officials described as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft carrying over 170 passengers and crew. A backup pilot from Flydubai, who was on board the flight, took over control of the aircraft and successfully landed it at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities arrested the co-pilot.
As reported by almodon.com.
