According to Israeli Channel 12, Omani pilot Hamam al-Hammami revealed during his interrogation that he had devised a plan to crash his aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. This alarming intention led him to specifically attack the other pilot while the plane was flying over Jordan, close to Israel. Al-Hammami's plan, as reported by the channel, involved initiating a normal descent procedure before, in the last critical moments where interception would be impossible, diverting the aircraft to crash into the airport building.
This conspiracy was thwarted thanks to the decisive action taken by Indian pilot Smit Matcher, who, despite being injured, opened the cockpit door at all costs. The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera noted that Israeli investigators suspect that co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami had intended to kill the captain of a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, continuing the journey normally before crashing into skyscrapers in the city.
Details of the Flight Crew Meeting
As per the report, the aircraft's captain, 38-year-old Smit Matcher, who has logged thousands of flight hours on Boeing 737s, arrived on time and passed security checks. Shortly after, al-Hammami, a 29-year-old Omani citizen, joined him. At around 5:30 AM Dubai time, the two pilots held a preparatory meeting for the flight in a lounge designated for FlyDubai crews. Matcher took the lead in piloting the aircraft, while al-Hammami served as the co-pilot, accompanied by six other crew members.
Throughout the meeting, al-Hammami exhibited behavior that oscillated between joking and long periods of silence, but the atmosphere remained professional without any recorded unusual actions. Preparations began normally, including checks of the equipment and the flight plan entered into the aircraft's computers, verification of fuel quantities, and weather updates. In the rear cabin, flight attendants prepared the kitchens, arranged meal trays, and checked seats and safety equipment.
Among the safety equipment was an emergency axe placed behind the pilots' seats, a provision mandated by law in most commercial passenger aircraft. This tool is intended for life-saving measures, such as breaking cockpit windows in the event of a fire, accessing electrical systems, and freeing trapped pilots after an emergency landing. According to the Italian newspaper's account, this axe was turned into a weapon against the aircraft's captain, as al-Hammami assaulted Matcher with it before attempting to take control of the aircraft by tampering with the controls and ultimately shutting down both engines.
Severe Injuries and Ongoing Investigation
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 in regaining control of the aircraft. Investigators suspect that al-Hammami meticulously planned the operation, alleging that his scheme was to kill the captain discreetly and then continue on the designated route to Tel Aviv, aiming to collide with skyscrapers in a manner that would not allow fighter jets enough time to intercept or initiate negotiations.
Furthermore, the newspaper reported that al-Hammami had previously been dismissed from Oman Air due to views characterized as dangerously close to Islamic extremism. He began working for FlyDubai about eight months prior to the incident, with social media posts containing extremist remarks against women and Jews being highlighted. American network CBS, citing informed sources, indicated that preliminary investigations suggest the co-pilot may have acted alone, with all possibilities still under consideration.
Currently, al-Hammami is undergoing investigation in the UAE after being initially interrogated in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft landed. Israel has sent representatives to participate in the investigation. The incident occurred last Wednesday, when passengers and crew managed to subdue the co-pilot who assaulted the captain in what Israeli officials described as an apparent attempt to crash the plane, which was carrying over 170 passengers and crew. A reserve pilot from FlyDubai who was onboard took control of the aircraft and successfully landed it at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where authorities apprehended the co-pilot.
As reported by almodon.com.
