Shin Bet Joins Probe into Pilot's Attempted Plane Crashing

Israel's Shin Bet security agency has joined the investigation into the Omani pilot who attempted to crash a Flydubai flight, arriving in the United Arab Emirates five days after the incident. During questioning, the pilot, Haitham Al-Haimi, stated his motive was revenge against Israel for its actions in the Gaza Strip. Investigators have ruled out the flight attendants' involvement, noting they were terrified, though some passengers suspected cooperation. military base in Jordan. He had initially planned the attack for July but postponed it due to personal ties with a crew member. Evidence suggests Al-Haimi arrived in Israel in June to prepare for martyrdom. A Mossad representative informed the Israeli cabinet that Al-Haimi had visited several hostile countries in recent years, beyond Syria, and investigators are examining if he was recruited or operated by any organization during these trips, though current assessment points to him acting alone. Australia and New Zealand are also investigating his past stays there.

The attempted crash was thwarted by the heroic actions of the Indian pilot, Smith Machchar, and other crew members. Al-Haimi reportedly planned to strike Machchar with an emergency axe before taking control and crashing the aircraft. After the pilot was subdued and the plane stabilized, attempts to land in Jordan were denied when authorities suspected a hijacking. Al-Haimi told investigators he specifically chose Flydubai because it flew to Tel Aviv and had planned the operation before being hired by the airline. An Italian newspaper reported that Al-Haimi disabled the autopilot, 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 significant security lapses following the incident. He instructed the Head of the National Security Council, Shmuel Ben Ezra, to appoint an examiner for a thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel. However, the review will be internal, and the examiner will lack investigative or enforcement powers. Ben Ezra had previously handled the issue without success.