UAE Inquiry Examines Alleged Plot to Crash Flydubai Flight at Ben Gurion Airport
Goldlaner.com – Investigators in the United Arab Emirates say the co-pilot accused of attempting to seize control of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv allegedly intended to crash the aircraft into Ben Gurion Airport’s passenger terminal, with the goal of inflicting mass casualties.
Hamam al-Hammami, 29, was restrained after the captain and several passengers intervened during the September 30 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The preliminary inquiry describes the alleged plan as a suicide attack and says authorities continue to examine evidence, technical data and the possibility that others may have been involved.
Investigators Detail Alleged Aviation Plot
Attorney General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi said the suspect had allegedly developed a plan to take over the aircraft and use it against Israel’s main international airport. The inquiry found that al-Hammami had flown to Ben Gurion Airport twice before the incident, allegedly using those trips to familiarize himself with the route and the airport environment.
“The idea of carrying out a similar operation using an aircraft became firmly established in his mind, which, according to his confessions, was connected to his decision to pursue a career in aviation.”
The statement said the alleged plot was “premeditated” and had a terrorist purpose. Investigators believe the intended target was the airport’s passenger terminal, a location chosen to cause “the greatest possible number of casualties.”
Ben Gurion Airport, near Tel Aviv, is Israel’s principal international aviation gateway. An attack involving a commercial aircraft would have posed an immediate threat not only to passengers and airport workers, but also to the wider aviation network operating in and out of the country.
9/11 Attacks Cited as Alleged Inspiration
The early findings state that al-Hammami told investigators the September 11, 2001 attacks had influenced his alleged ambitions. Nearly 3,000 people were killed 25 years ago when four commercial airliners were hijacked and crashed at three sites in the United States.
The inquiry says the suspect’s interest in conducting a similar aircraft-based attack became tied to his decision to enter aviation. The allegations underscore the particular concern raised when someone with flight access is accused of seeking to misuse professional training and cockpit authority.
Authorities said al-Hammami became drawn to extremist and terrorist ideas in 2017 while studying in Australia. The investigation found that he had consumed extremist publications and online material that praised terrorist organizations and suicide attacks.
“[He] prepared himself psychologically and physically to carry out his plot by increasing his exposure to material inciting terrorism and training in boxing under a private coach.”
The inquiry has not concluded. Al-Hammami told authorities that he acted alone, but officials said that claim remains under review as investigators assess recordings, technical reports and other evidence.
Captain and Passengers Stopped the Attempt
The alleged takeover attempt was halted after the flight captain and several passengers acted to restrain al-Hammami and regain control of the situation on board. Their intervention prevented the flight from being used in the manner investigators say the suspect had planned.
The case highlights the importance of cockpit security procedures, crew coordination and passenger response during an in-flight emergency. Commercial aviation relies on multiple safeguards intended to prevent unauthorized control of an aircraft, including personnel screening, operational protocols and protective measures around the flight deck.
Authorities have not indicated that normal aviation security processes were bypassed before the incident. Instead, the inquiry is examining how the alleged intentions remained undisclosed during the suspect’s employment history and recruitment checks.
Employment History and Recruitment Review
Al-Hammami worked at Oman Air between 2020 and 2024. He then entered a three-month pre-employment training period with Royal Air Maroc in 2025, but the airline did not select him for a position. He later joined Flydubai in January 2026.
A person familiar with the matter had previously said that Oman Air removed al-Hammami from flight training because of concerns about his radical views and reassigned him to another role. The UAE inquiry is reviewing the suspect’s later hiring process at Flydubai.
Investigators found that al-Hammami met the professional and security requirements for employment, including possession of a pilot’s license, completion of required examinations and a certificate of good conduct. The attorney general said the screening process did not reveal evidence of extremist beliefs or an alleged terrorist plan.
“There were no indications emerging during those procedures that revealed his extremist inclinations or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot.”
The investigation remains active as authorities work to establish the full sequence of events, assess the suspect’s communications and determine whether any additional individuals had knowledge of or involvement in the alleged plan.
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