Flydubai Co-Pilot Confessed to 9/11-Style Terror Plot
Investigators have revealed a chilling confession from an Omani first officer who allegedly planned a suicide attack reminiscent of the September 11 attacks during a Flydubai flight. The suspect, 29-year-old Hamam al-Hammami, reportedly intended to crash the aircraft into high-profile targets, including a Tel Aviv skyscraper or a US military site in Jordan.
The incident occurred on September 30, 2026, during Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft experienced a terrifying descent, plummeting over 16,000 feet in approximately 30 seconds while flying through Saudi Arabian airspace.
A Violent Struggle in the Cockpit
The attempted catastrophe was only averted through the bravery of the flight crew and passengers. Captain Smit Machchhar, a Mumbai-born pilot, was brutally attacked by al-Hammami inside the cockpit. According to reports, the co-pilot used a cockpit emergency crash axe to assault the captain after Machchhar had requested time to pray.
Despite sustaining severe injuries, Captain Machchhar managed to remain conscious and fight back against the assailant. The situation was eventually resolved when two off-duty Flydubai pilots, who were traveling as passengers on the same flight, acted decisively. They forced open the cockpit door and successfully restrained al-Hammami, preventing him from completing his mission.
The aircraft was eventually brought to a safe landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Miraculously, all 182 passengers and crew members on board survived the ordeal.
Terrorist Intent and Suspect Background
Interrogations have provided a grim look into al-Hammami's motivations. He reportedly admitted to choosing Flydubai specifically because of its flight routes to Tel Aviv. UAE Attorney General Dr. Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has officially classified the incident as an attempted terrorist act.
Investigations into the suspect's history have uncovered several red flags:
- Oman Air: Al-Hammami was reportedly removed from flying duties at Oman Air in 2024 due to concerns regarding extremist views.
- Training: Following his departure from Oman Air, he underwent training at Royal Air Maroc before being hired by Flydubai in February 2026.
- Australian Probe: Authorities in Australia, including the Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, have opened an investigation into his time spent in Melbourne between 2015 and 2017, following reports of ties to radical mosques and extremist websites.
Aftermath and Recovery
Captain Machchhar, who joined Flydubai in 2022 after a tenure at SpiceJet, was treated in Tabuk before being airlifted to Abu Dhabi for further medical care. In a show of support, Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed visited the captain in the hospital.
The international community has reacted strongly to the event. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invited Captain Machchhar to attend Israel's Independence Day celebrations in May 2027, noting allegations that the co-pilot had undergone extremist indoctrination. Meanwhile, Flydubai has suspended its commercial flights to Israel following the incident.
Al-Hammami remains in UAE custody. While prosecutors are reportedly seeking the death penalty, this has not yet been formally confirmed in a public charge sheet. Current reports indicate there is no evidence of Iranian direction behind the attempted attack.