According to the Italian newspaper "Corriere della Sera," Israeli investigators have raised suspicions regarding an incident involving Hamam Al-Hamami, an Omani co-pilot, who allegedly plotted to kill the captain of a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and continue the flight normally before crashing into skyscrapers in the city.
Meetings and Preparations Before the Flight
Reportedly, the Indian captain, Smit Matcher, 38 years old and with thousands of flight hours on Boeing 737 aircraft, arrived on time and passed security checks. He was shortly followed by Al-Hamami, a 29-year-old Omani national. Around 5:30 AM Dubai time, both pilots held a preparatory meeting for the flight in one of the designated lounges for FlyDubai crews. Matcher took command of the aircraft while Al-Hamami served as the co-pilot, accompanied by six other crew members.
During the meeting, Al-Hamami was noted to oscillate between joking and long silences; however, the atmosphere remained professional, and no unusual behavior was recorded. The preparations began normally, including checks of the instruments, the flight plan input into the aircraft's computers, verifying fuel levels, and receiving weather updates. In the rear cabin, flight attendants prepared the kitchens, arranged meal trays, and inspected seats and safety equipment.
Among these safety items was an emergency axe located behind the pilots' seats, a requirement on most commercial passenger aircraft, used for life-saving purposes, such as breaking cockpit windows in case of fire, accessing electrical systems, and freeing pilots in the event of an emergency landing. According to the Italian report, this axe became a tool of aggression against the captain, as Al-Hamami allegedly struck Matcher with it and attempted to take down the aircraft by tampering with the controls before cutting off both engines.
Serious Injuries and Investigation Insights
The report highlighted that the captain sustained severe injuries, including a serious wound to one of his arms, yet he managed to assist the remaining crew members in regaining control of the aircraft. Israeli investigations suspect that Al-Hamami had premeditated the operation, claiming that the alleged plan involved killing the captain without drawing attention and then continuing on the scheduled path to Tel Aviv, leading to a crash into skyscrapers, which would not allow fighter jets time to take off and intercept the plane or to initiate negotiations.
The newspaper noted that Al-Hamami had previously been dismissed from Oman Air due to stances described as too close to Islamic extremism before joining FlyDubai about eight months prior to the incident. It also mentioned extremist statements against women and Jews on social media platforms. Meanwhile, American network CBS, citing informed sources, indicated that initial investigations suggest the possibility that the co-pilot acted alone, and all scenarios are under review.
Currently, Al-Hamami is being investigated in the UAE after being initially interrogated in Saudi Arabia, where the plane landed. Israeli representatives have been sent to participate in the investigation. The incident occurred last Wednesday when passengers and crew managed to subdue the co-pilot, who attacked the captain in what Israeli officials described as an apparent attempt to crash the plane, which was carrying over 170 passengers and crew members. A reserve pilot from FlyDubai aboard the flight took over and successfully landed the aircraft at Tabuk Airport in northwest Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities apprehended the co-pilot.
As reported by almodon.com.
