Details of the Attempted Hijacking by the Omani Pilot

The United Arab Emirates' Attorney-General, Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, provided shocking revelations on Friday regarding an attempted hijacking involving an Omani pilot on flydubai flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. It has been confirmed that the pilot, identified as 29-year-old Hamam al-Hammami, had intentions of orchestrating a suicide attack targeting the passenger terminal at Ben-Gurion Airport. This information was disseminated through the Emirati state news agency WAM.

According to Al Shamsi, the hijacking was a calculated act, with Hammami beginning his radicalization process back in 2017 during his studies in Australia. His motives, as noted in the Attorney-General's statement, were influenced significantly by the infamous September 11 attacks, aiming to inflict maximum casualties during his planned assault.

Hammami's Background and the Midair Crisis

In his confession, Hammami disclosed that contemplating such an act was a driving force behind his decision to pursue a career in aviation. The Attorney-General emphasized that Hammami acted independently in both the planning and attempted execution of the hijacking. Investigations have shown that he met all professional and security standards required by flydubai at the time of his employment, and the airline had no prior knowledge of his extremist inclinations.

During the chaotic moments of the hijacking, Hammami allegedly assaulted the flight's captain, Smit Machchhar, with an axe meant for cockpit breaches. Eyewitness accounts from passengers and crew reveal that a captain, who was on board to operate the return flight to Dubai, intervened after noticing suspicious activity in the cockpit. Utilizing the security code, he managed to enter the cockpit, confronting Hammami with the support of several passengers and a crew member, ultimately diverting the flight to a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The investigation into this serious incident is still active, with the UAE Public Prosecution promising updates as new information becomes available.

As reported by jpost.com.