Omani Co-Pilot Inspired by 9/11 Planned to Crash Plane at Ben Gurion Airport
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
An Omani co-pilot, Al-Hammami, planned to crash a Flydubai passenger jet into Ben Gurion Airport's terminal, inspired by the 9/11 attacks. The plot was thwarted when he attacked the captain with an axe, but crew and passengers subdued him, landing the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. Investigations reveal his radicalization began in Australia in 2017, and he used prior flights to Israel for reconnaissance. Authorities are still investigating potential accomplices.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- An Omani co-pilot planned to crash a passenger plane into Ben Gurion Airport's terminal, inspired by 9/11.
- The plot was foiled when the co-pilot attacked the captain with an axe, and was subdued by crew and passengers.
- The aircraft was safely landed in Saudi Arabia after the incident.
- The co-pilot's radicalization began in Australia in 2017, and he used previous flights to Israel for reconnaissance.
- UAE authorities are continuing their investigation into potential accomplices despite the co-pilot's confession of acting alone.
The Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates revealed that an Omani co-pilot had planned to crash a passenger plane into a terminal at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The investigation indicates that the co-pilot, Al-Hammami, began to radicalize in Australia, chose a career in aviation inspired by the 9/11 attacks, and used two prior flights to Israel to prepare for the attack. He intended to seize control of the aircraft and crash it into the passenger terminal to maximize casualties.
The plot was foiled when Al-Hammami attacked the captain with an emergency axe in the cockpit. However, other crew members and passengers managed to overpower him, and the plane was safely landed in Saudi Arabia. The UAE investigation detailed Al-Hammami's years-long radicalization path, starting in Australia in 2017 where he was exposed to extremist literature and online content glorifying terrorist organizations. He frequented a mosque associated with RMIT University and met individuals linked to a center called "My Centre," allegedly run by a Lebanese man known as "Abu Hamza" and supported by an organization connected to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Al-Hammami confessed that the 9/11 attacks served as his inspiration for pursuing a career in aviation and planning a similar attack. He also admitted to preparing himself mentally and physically, increasing his exposure to terrorist propaganda and undergoing private boxing training. The investigation found that Al-Hammami used two previous flights to Tel Aviv to study the flight path and familiarize himself with Ben Gurion Airport before attempting the attack on his third flight on September 30.
Flydubai's hiring process for Al-Hammami showed no irregularities; he held a valid pilot's license and passed all required professional and security checks, which did not flag his extremist views. During the attack, he surprised the captain in the cockpit and assaulted him with an axe. A second pilot, who was on board for the return flight, noticed the cockpit door's unusual activity, gained access, and intervened. With the help of a crew member and passengers, they subdued Al-Hammami and rescued the injured captain. The pilots then regained control of the aircraft and landed it safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hammami confessed to the acts in the presence of his lawyer, detailing his motives and planning. He claimed to have acted alone, but UAE authorities are continuing the investigation to explore any potential accomplices or external involvement, despite his confession.
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