The pilot accused of attempting to hijack an Israel-bound Flydubai flight reportedly told investigators he had dreamed of crashing a plane into Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport and causing mass casualties, according to Israeli sources.
Hamam al-Hammami, 29, allegedly attacked Captain Smit Machchhar in the cockpit with a crash axe and knife while the Boeing 737 was flying over Jordan. Passengers and crew reportedly intervened to regain control after the aircraft plunged about 14,000 feet in just 29 seconds.
According to reports, Israeli intelligence sources claim al-Hammami admitted he had considered the attack even before joining Flydubai. He allegedly told investigators he had tried to secure jobs with several airlines and had visited Ben Gurion Airport multiple times, with one visit in July reportedly linked to preparations for the alleged plot.
He is also alleged to have considered crashing a plane into the Azrieli Towers in central Tel Aviv, near Israel’s military headquarters, in an attack reportedly intended to mimic the September 11 attacks.
Sources claim al-Hammami abandoned an earlier plan after discovering that a crew member he knew was on board. He allegedly launched the cockpit attack around 10 minutes from Israel’s border, potentially leaving little time for fighter jets to respond.
The allegations have emerged alongside reports of extremist and violent posts allegedly linked to al-Hammami while he was studying aviation management remotely at Buckinghamshire New University. The posts reportedly included violent threats against women and extremist material.
Al-Hammami, an Omani national, is also reported to have previously been banned from flying by Omani authorities over concerns about extremist views. Investigators are now examining whether he acted alone or had links to an extremist organisation.
Flydubai has grounded all flights to and from Israel while investigations into the incident continue.
