The Israeli Channel 12 has reported alarming details surrounding an incident involving Omani pilot Hamam al-Hammami, who allegedly expressed during his interrogation that he had planned to crash his aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. The plan, as outlined by the channel, involved the pilot initiating a standard descent, only to redirect the plane for a collision with the airport building at the last possible moment, when interception would be exceedingly difficult.
This audacious plot was thwarted thanks to the decisive actions of the injured Indian pilot, who opened the cockpit door at any cost, thus preventing a potential disaster. According to the Italian newspaper 'Corriere della Sera,' Israeli investigators suspect that Hamam al-Hammami's co-pilot plotted to kill the captain of a FlyDubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv and intended to continue the flight normally before crashing into skyscrapers in the city.
Details of the Flight and the Confrontation
The report reveals that the flight captain, 38-year-old Smit Matcher, who has logged thousands of hours flying Boeing 737 aircraft, arrived on time and passed security checks. Shortly thereafter, the 29-year-old Omani pilot, al-Hammami, joined him. At approximately 5:30 AM Dubai time, the two pilots held a preparatory meeting for the flight in a designated crew lounge for FlyDubai. Matcher took the lead of the aircraft while al-Hammami assumed the role of co-pilot, supported by six other crew members.
During the preparations, al-Hammami exhibited a mix of light-hearted banter and prolonged silences, yet the atmosphere remained professional, with no unusual behavior reported. Standard preparations commenced, including equipment checks, flight plans input into the aircraft's computers, fuel verification, and weather updates. Meanwhile, cabin crew prepared the galleys, organized meal trays, checked seats, and safety equipment. Among the safety equipment was an emergency axe located behind the pilots' seats, a legal requirement on most commercial aircraft, designed to save lives by breaking cockpit windows in emergencies, accessing electrical systems, or freeing trapped pilots after an emergency landing.
According to the Italian newspaper, this axe became a tool of aggression against the flight captain. Al-Hammami reportedly struck Matcher with the axe and attempted to bring down the aircraft by first tampering with the controls and subsequently shutting down both engines.
Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
The report indicates that the captain sustained severe injuries, including a critical injury to one of his arms, yet he managed to assist the remaining crew in regaining control of the aircraft. Israeli investigations suspect that al-Hammami had premeditated the act, aiming to kill the captain without drawing attention, thus allowing the flight to continue on its course to Tel Aviv, where it could crash into skyscrapers before fighter jets could scramble to intercept or negotiations could begin.
Furthermore, the report mentions that al-Hammami had previously been dismissed from Oman Air due to behaviors deemed too close to Islamic extremism before joining FlyDubai approximately eight months prior to the incident. His social media statements reportedly included extremist views against women and Jews. According to CBS News, initial investigations suggest the possibility that the co-pilot acted alone, with all avenues of inquiry being explored.
Currently, al-Hammami is under investigation in the UAE after being initially questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft 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 bring down the aircraft carrying over 170 passengers and crew members. A reserve pilot from FlyDubai, who was on board the flight, took over the control and successfully landed the aircraft at Tabaq Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where Saudi authorities apprehended the co-pilot.
As reported by almodon.com.
