The Alarming Incident on a Dubai to Tel Aviv Flight
According to reports from Israeli Channel 12, Omani co-pilot Hamam Al-Hamami, during his interrogation, revealed that he had been plotting to crash his aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport. His plan included an attack on the main pilot while the plane was flying over Jordan, close to Israeli airspace. Al-Hamami's strategy involved initiating a standard descent, only to divert the aircraft at the last possible moment—when interception would be nearly impossible—towards a collision with the airport's terminal.
This nefarious scheme was thwarted thanks to the decisive action taken by the injured Indian pilot, who managed to open the cockpit door despite the severe circumstances he faced.
Details of the Flight and the Co-Pilot's Background
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that Israeli investigators suspect Al-Hamami had intentions to murder the captain of the Fly Dubai flight, which was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, with the aim of continuing the journey normally before crashing into skyscrapers in the city. The flight's captain, 38-year-old Smit Matcher, a seasoned pilot with thousands of hours logged on Boeing 737 aircraft, had arrived on time and successfully passed through security checks. Shortly thereafter, Al-Hamami, a 29-year-old Omani national, joined him.
At approximately 5:30 AM Dubai time, the two pilots convened for a pre-flight meeting in a designated lounge for Fly Dubai crews. Matcher was at the helm, with Al-Hamami serving as the first officer, supported by a team of six other crew members. Although Al-Hamami displayed a mix of levity and moments of silence, the overall atmosphere remained professional, and no unusual behavior was recorded during their preparations.
The preparations proceeded as planned, including checks on equipment, the flight plan entered into the aircraft's computer system, fuel assessments, and weather updates. Meanwhile, the cabin crew organized meals and ensured safety equipment was in order. Among the safety gear was an emergency axe stored behind the pilots' seats, a legally mandated item on most commercial aircraft, intended for life-saving purposes such as breaking cockpit windows in case of fire, accessing electrical systems, or freeing trapped pilots after an emergency landing.
However, according to the Italian report, this axe was used as a weapon against the captain. Al-Hamami allegedly struck Matcher with it and attempted to hijack the plane by manipulating the controls, first trying to disable the aircraft's engines.
As the situation escalated, the captain sustained severe injuries, including a significant wound to one of his arms, but was still able to assist the rest of the crew in regaining control of the aircraft. The Israeli investigation suspects that Al-Hamami had meticulously planned this operation, aiming to kill the captain discreetly and then continue on the predetermined route to Tel Aviv, ultimately crashing into the city's skyscrapers without giving fighter jets sufficient time to intercept the flight or initiate negotiations.
It is noteworthy that Al-Hamami had previously been dismissed from Oman Air due to views that were described as dangerously close to Islamic extremism before he began working for Fly Dubai about eight months prior to this incident. Reports have surfaced indicating extremist statements he made regarding women and Jewish people on social media platforms.
American network CBS, citing informed sources, suggested that preliminary investigations indicate the co-pilot might have acted independently, with all scenarios under consideration. Al-Hamami is currently being interrogated in the UAE after being initially questioned in Saudi Arabia, where the aircraft made its emergency landing. Israeli representatives have also been dispatched to participate in the ongoing investigation.
The incident occurred last Wednesday, during which passengers and crew members successfully subdued the co-pilot, who had attacked the captain in what Israeli officials described as an apparent attempt to crash the aircraft, which was carrying over 170 individuals. A backup pilot from Fly Dubai, who was also on board, took control and managed to land the plane safely at Tabuk Airport in northwestern Saudi Arabia, where authorities apprehended the co-pilot.
As reported by almodon.com.
