Pilot Intended to Crash Flydubai Plane into Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli officials revealed that the investigation into the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight to Israel by pilot Hamas Al-Hamami indicates he intended to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport. He initiated the hijacking over Jordan, planning to land normally in Israel before crashing to cause mass casualties. If unable to reach Ben Gurion, his plan was to crash the aircraft into a U.S. military base in Jordan. The investigation also suggests Al-Hamami planned the attack for July but postponed it due to personal ties with a crew member. He had arrived in Israel in June to prepare for martyrdom. The heroic struggle of the Indian pilot Smith Machacher, along with the bravery of Israeli passengers, thwarted Al-Hamami's plan. The investigation indicates Al-Hamami intended to incapacitate Machacher with an emergency axe before taking control and crashing the plane. After the hijacker was subdued and the plane stabilized, Jordan refused landing permission when they realized it was a hijacking. Al-Hamami confessed he chose Flydubai after researching airlines flying to Tel Aviv and had planned the operation before joining the company. An Italian newspaper reported Al-Hamami disengaged the autopilot, took control, shut down engines, and pushed the controls forward, causing the plane to lose 16,000 feet in under a minute. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged security lapses in civil aviation and ordered a thorough review of foreign airlines' security protocols, a move that aligns with recommendations made by the State Comptroller in May 2024. The review will be internal and will not grant investigative or enforcement powers. Al-Hamami, an Omani citizen, had previously worked for Oman Air but was removed from flying duties in 2024 after extremist materials were found in his possession, though he remained in an administrative role. Reports suggest his suspension was due to suspected jihadist radicalization, possibly during time spent in Syria. He also had brief stints with Royal Air Maroc and Buckinghamshire New University. Security checks for his hiring reportedly focused on criminal records rather than deeper background and radicalization indicators. Posts on his deleted LinkedIn account included videos of Boeing 737 MAX cockpits, including an El Al plane, and an image of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Another post featured AI-generated art of holy Islamic cities and anti-humiliation lyrics. A deleted X account reportedly displayed extreme religious views and controversial statements about marriage and women.